HARTFORD — A stubborn woods fire that erupted on Little Pinnacle Mountain on Monday was finally extinguished Wednesday morning, West Paris fire Chief Norm St. Pierre said.
St. Pierre said he was on the mountain in the morning putting out the last two hot spots of the fire that burned 4.5 acres.
“I found the two hot spots, dug them out, and that was it,” he said.
Maine Forest Ranger Jay Bernard said the fire may have started accidentally from an unattended campfire this past weekend.
It was discovered Monday afternoon and had burned more than three acres by Monday evening, despite efforts by area fire departments. Firefighters attacked it again all day Tuesday.
The fire burned largely underground and spread through layers of dry, decomposing forest material that cover the soil, making it difficult to attack. Ground crews extinguished much of the visible fire by churning the earth and mixing it with a foam substance, officials said.
St. Pierre said the cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Maine Forest Service, which used a helicopter to drop water on it Monday and Tuesday.
ldixon@sunjournal.com
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