North Hampton Fire Rescue and Mutual-Aid Partners from Across Region Successfully Battle 5.4-Acre Brush Fire

NORTH HAMPTON — Interim Chief Jacob MacGlashing reports that the North Hampton Fire Department and numerous mutual-aid partners from across the region have contained a four-alarm brush fire that burned for much of Thursday and Friday. 

North Hampton firefighters received a report around 1:50 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, of smoke near North Road, in a heavily wooded area near North Hampton School. Upon arrival, crews spotted smoke but could not immediately determine the source of the fire. The engine that first responded on scene was not off-road-capable, so firefighters had to travel by foot through the tricky terrain to locate the origin of the fire, and that took about 30 minutes.

After putting out a call for assistance, North Hampton firefighters received mutual aid from many departments across the region, who provided off-road vehicles and pickup trucks that could travel into the woods. The New Hampshire State Forest Protection Bureau also responded with equipment to aid in tackling the blaze. About 60 firefighters were at the scene over the course of the day.

Eventually the fire spread to an area of 5.4 acres. Dry conditions made fighting the blaze challenging, in addition to a number of fallen trees in the area. Crews frequently had to dig up areas, suppress trees’ root systems with water, and repeat the process.

After three and a half hours, firefighters successfully contained the fire. As of 8 p.m. Thursday, about 90 percent of the fire was knocked down. Crews will remained on scene overnight and into the day Friday to monitor hot spots.

On Friday, Aug. 8, the fire was 99 percent contained, but continued to burn inside the approximately 5.4 acre containment area, requiring firefighters to head back into the woods for labor intensive firefighting in high heat and humidity. 

As a result, another 17 companies were at the scene on Friday working to extinguish the now contained blaze. There have been no reported injuries, but firefighters have had to rehabilitate often to avoid heat related illnesses. 

The North Hampton Fire Department asks residents to avoid the area where fire operations are taking place. 

“Our team has successfully contained the fire, but we still need unobstructed access to the area so we can complete our work,” Interim Chief MacGlashing said. “Our mutual aid partners have been absolutely essential to enabling us to contain this blaze, and we are grateful for their partnership.”

North Hampton Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire with assistance from the State Forest and Lands Department. 

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