Lightning or Human Element? Rangers Search for Cause of Newburgh Wildfire

No doubt the heavy rains that fell last night as a result of thunderstorms moving through the area helped to douse the flames in the Penobscot County town of Newburgh.

A brush fire quickly raged out of control yesterday as winds and hot temperatures helped fuel the blaze reported off the Sweat and Cook roads.

Ranger Jeff Currier with the Maine Forest Service says the fire was in a remote location, and scorched about seven acres.

Firefighters from several Penobscot County towns fought the fire along with Maine Forest Service Rangers and the Air National Guard.

Currier says this is lightning season in Maine and even though this fire broke out before yesterday's storms came into the area, lightening strikes have been known to smolder underground for days until the conditions are just right.

Currier says there could also be a human element involved and they hope to know more later today.