Five-Acre Penobscot Wildfire Draws 12 Departments

August 30, 2026 — Penobscot, Maine: After fighting the fire for nearly six and a half hours in challenging terrain, a wildland fire in Penobscot that burnt over five acres was about 80% contained on Sunday.

On Saturday, August 29, at 11:38 a.m., the fire was initially reported close to the intersection of Dunbar Road and Castine Road. The fire was reported by a neighboring field mower and a local resident. Sometimes flames reached trees that were thought to be 100 feet tall.

The incident was handled by over fifty volunteer firemen from at least twelve units. Workers used hand tools, portable water packs, and thousands of feet of hose. Additionally, from its Old Town air base, the Maine Forest Service conducted two water drops using helicopters.

Privately owned bulldozers from Seal Ledge Marina and Bowden & Son Disposal helped create a 25-foot-wide firebreak around the fire. Tree-cutting assistance also came from Meadowsweet Tree and Landscape and arborist Jan Ordway.

Assisting departments included Castine, Orland, Bucksport, Blue Hill, Surry, Brooksville, Sedgwick, Deer Isle, Stonington, Trenton, Hancock and Sullivan. The fire was largely contained around 9 p.m. Saturday, but crews returned at 5 a.m. Sunday to address hot spots and flare-ups.

Penobscot Fire Chief James Clarke said dry conditions and changing winds increased the fire danger. Maine Forest Service ranger Hayden Daigle said drought conditions and a deep layer of combustible organic material beneath the forest floor could allow the fire to continue burning underground. The cause remained under investigation, and Castine Road remained closed while crews continued operations.