Campfire burn ban lifted, but Rochester Fire still urges residents to use caution

A 'contained' campfire like the one above is a fire that is built within a structure or barrier designed to prevent its spread. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester residents can go back to enjoying their end-of-summer nighttime campfires this weekend.
As of Tuesday the Rochester Fire Department downgraded the fire level danger from "very high" to "high," which mean residents can have small "contained" campfires.
A contained campfire is a fire that is built within a structure or barrier designed to prevent its spread. It ypically involves a fire pit, chiminea, or other non-combustible container, and often includes a screen or other means to prevent embers from escaping.
The campfires may be no larger than two feet in diameter, according to a Rochester Fire statement released on Tuesday.
The City of Rochester announced its initial ban on all campfires on Friday due to the ongoing drought.
The drought could still potentially go from moderate to severe, according to the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine.
No significant rainfall is forecast locally in the next 10 days, which could lead to a "severe" drought, said Sarah Jamison, a hydrologist at the NWS.
Jamison noted that the slide into a drought period began in June, and ever since then the lack of rainfall has been precipitous.
"The (Strafford County) region has seen a deficit of 4 to 6 inches of rain in the last 90 days and shows a 20-30 percent deficit " she told The Rochester Voice on Saturday.
Jamison also explained that the very high temps during a summer growing period that requires a lot of moisture has only exacerbated the dry conditions.
She added that the region needs at least five inches of rain a month to keep up with evaporation, and it's not getting it.
In the next two weeks nothing more than spotty showers or isolated thunderstorms are forecast and "that's not enough," added Jamison.
On Sunday, Rochester, Milton, Lebanon and surrounding communities spent hours tracking down a small brush fire in the Salmon Falls Reserve in West Lebanon, Maine. After two or three hours of searching for the blaze fire crews found a 25-foot brush fire north of a sandpit behind Prospect Hill Road and were able to quickly douse the blaze.
Rochester Fire asks residents to follow these simple precautions when having a campfire.
• DO NOT leave any fire unattended.
• Please have water readily available, such as a garden hose, in case it is needed.
• Dispose of smoking materials safely to prevent mulch or vegetation from igniting and spreading.
Officials ask everyone to remain vigilant, cautious, and practice proper outdoor fire safety. As always, if anyone sees something or smells smoke, report it immediately by calling 911.
Any Rochester residents with questions or concerns should contact the Rochester Fire Department at (603) 335-7545.