Gorham, NH - Fire department personnel conducting driver training on the morning of the incident noticed smoke coming from an area off Evans Street.

Upon investigating, crews discovered that a burn barrel containing leaves and wood had ignited nearby leaf litter and surrounding wood, causing the fire to spread beyond the barrel.

Using hand tools and approximately 250 feet of hose from Tanker 1, firefighters worked to fully extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading further. The fire burned an estimated 600 square feet of land and, if left undetected, could have grown into a much larger incident.

Officials reminded residents that fire danger remained high and urged extreme caution when starting any outdoor fire. They also emphasized that, under state law, fire permits were required and could be obtained at the fire station or purchased online.