Brush Fires Blaze Through Merrimack

Merrimack Fire and Rescue teams responded to a number of emergency calls on April 22, 2015, according to Fire Marshal John Manuele.

At just before 1 p.m., the teams were sent to a report of a brush fire on the Everett Turnpike, near the Nashua line. About 200 square feet of brush was on fire. Merrimack Engine 2 and Forestry 2 extinguished the blaze and cleared the scene around 1:30 p.m.

“The cause of this fire is believed to be due to the careless disposal of a cigarette,” according to Manuele.

About 30 minutes later, the teams were dispatched to a downed power line on Iris Drive. Engine 1 and Forestry 1 discovered that a downed tree had fallen on a 115,000 volt transmission line, causing a brush fire.

“Crews were able to extinguish the fire at the edge of the homes yard, and contain the fire to the power line right of way, but could not fully extinguish it due to the proximity of the power line,” he noted. “Eversource responded to the scene and had to shut down the power and call a high voltage line crew to the scene to clear the tree and reset the fallen line.”

The crews cleared the scene around 6 p.m. and were quickly sent to another brush fire on Powers Circle.

A state forest official along with Merrimack Engines 1 and 2 and Forestry 1 and 3 were all at the scene. As the fire spread, mutual aid from Amherst, Milford, Bedford Nashua, Manchester and the Salvation Army Rehab Unit all arrived to assist. Hudson also covered the Merrimack station, according to Manuele.

About two and half acres of land and woods were engulfed in flames. The teams had the situation under control around 9 p.m.

Captions: Merrimack Fire extinguishes brush fires on Iris Drive on April 22, 2015. Credit: Fire Marshal John Manuele