Maine Forest Service: Permits and Precautions Key to Preventing Wildfires

As spring finally sets in and gives us a taste of nice weather, you may have noticed brush fires near homes and fields as county folks clean up. However this time of year is also prime for wildfires. NewsSource8's Brian Bouchard speaks with a Ranger from the Maine Forest Service about what we’ve seen so far this season and what can be done to prevent wildfires. Here in the newsroom we use a variety of tools to monitor what’s happening across the county. One tool that I’ve recently started using comes from the Maine Forest Service and is used to track wildfires across the state. The information is regularly updated, and provides the cause, size and date the fire occurred. “We’ve been fairly busy, I would say nothing out of the norm. We are currently still in grass fire season.”
WAGM-TV CBS/FOX/CW+ 8 Presque Isle

Deadly year on Maine roadways so far, officials say

Spring is here which means more people are on the roads. According to the Bureau of Highway Safety, it’s already been a deadly year on Maine roadways. BHS reports 42 people have died in crashes. That’s an increase of 13 from the same time last year. May is National Youth Traffic Safety Month, National Bicycle Safety Month, and Motorcycle Awareness Month. Memorial Day also kicks off the 100 deadliest days of summer.
WABI-TV CBS/CW+ 5 Bangor

Woman hit by antique car in Kennebunk parade shares terrifying story; Town leaders look to make future parades safer

VIDEO: Town leaders say there was a freak accident at the start of a weekend parade in Kennebunk. Kennebunk police are still trying to figure out why an antique car, driven by an 85-year-old, suddenly sped forward, hitting three people. The floats, vehicles and people who were in the May Day parade on Saturday in Kennebunk all lined up on Water Street. That's when police say an antique vehicle suddenly surged forward, pinning three people between the car and a float. "A lot of screaming,” crash victim Melanie Huard said. “I remember that." Huard was lined up behind a float to walk in Saturday's parade when an antique car suddenly sped toward her. "Suddenly, I heard the motor, and the car just came full speed ahead,” Huard said. “It happened so quickly I couldn't move out of the way."
WPFO-TV FOX 23 Waterville

Tractor-trailer crash near power, gas lines causes delays in South Berwick

Drivers on Route 91 in South Berwick were facing delays Thursday morning because of a tractor-trailer crash Wednesday night. Firefighters say the crash happened at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday when a tractor-trailer went off the road at the bottom of the hill on Route 91. Officials say the driver was not hurt, but the truck was loaded, leaking fuel and very close to both electric and natural gas lines. Firefighters talked with the National Wrecker Service and were able to address all immediate hazards. The truck was secured in place so that crews could remove it Thursday morning. Around 8 a.m., police said drivers should expect delays.
WMTW-TV ABC 8 Poland Spring