Merrimack Firefighters Tackle 14-Acre Brushfire

Firefighters in Merrimack had a busy day today fighting a 14-acre brushfire at the Fidelity Investments property near Daniel Webster Highway and Industrial Drive.

According to Fire Marshal John Manuele, local teams were sent to the area after a state forestry official from the Federal Hill Fire Tower in Milford spotted smoke in the area on May 6, 2015.

Engine 2 traced the smoke to the Fidelity property and an area of forest between Pondview Lane, Digital Drive, and the Industrial Drive Exit 10 onramp.

“A large brush fire was found in a heavily wooded area of walking trails and Engine 1 and Forestry 2 were dispatched to the scene,” Manuele reported. “The fire began to rapidly spread due to the windy dry conditions and mutual aid companies were requested to the scene. At the fires peak over 14-acres were burning and over 50 fire fighters were working the fire scene.”

Crews responded from Amherst, Hollis, Bedford, Nashua, Manchester, Londonderry, Hudson and the New Hampshire Forest Protection Bureau to the scene and units from Goffstown, Milford, and Bedford covered Merrimack’s stations, according to Manuele.

“The crews fighting the fire faced challenging conditions due to the amount of dry fuel in the area and the gusty winds which kept changing direction,” he noted, adding that the Salvation Army Rehab unit helped to keep the crews hydrated.

One firefighter was injured and transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital. The fire was mostly contained at just before 5 p.m. and under control about an hour later. By 8:30 p.m., crews had cleared from the scene.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, however evidence found at the scene points to improper disposal of smoking materials as being the most likely cause, according to Manuele.