A wildfire burning through the White Mountains has drawn the attention of residents and emergency crews alike, raising questions about how the fire started and whether it poses a threat to nearby homes. Here’s what officials are reporting as crews work to bring the blaze under control.
As of Thursday, the fire has burned approximately 856 acres and remains largely uncontained, with only 11 percent of its perimeter secured, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Officials provided an update during a community meeting held in Shelburne, the town closest to the affected area.
The cause of the fire is believed to be human activity, though officials have not elaborated on the specific circumstances. The Forest Service shared this finding at the Shelburne meeting as part of a broader briefing on the fire’s status and response efforts.
What Crews Are Doing Now
Firefighters on Thursday shifted their focus to what is known as “mop-up activities.” This process involves locating and extinguishing residual heat sources within already-contained sections of the fire to prevent those areas from reigniting. It is a critical phase of wildfire suppression, ensuring that progress made does not get reversed by smoldering embers.
Despite the fire’s size and limited containment, the Forest Service said it does not expect the blaze to spread to any private property. That assurance has offered some relief to those living in the surrounding area.
A Frightening Experience for Nearby Residents
For people living close to the fire, the past several days have been deeply unsettling. Leo Joost, who lives near the fire’s perimeter, described a harrowing moment when smoke blanketed his property.
Joost said:
“The place was just inundated with smoke. I live on top of a hill, and as I said, backed into the forest, so I did panic. I climbed up on the roof and looked where the smoke was coming from, called 911. Most important to us is to thank all the firefighters who have come from all over.”
His account reflects the anxiety felt by many in the region as crews from multiple areas have been deployed to assist with the response. Officials and residents alike continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighters work to push containment numbers higher in the coming days. For reporting standards related to this coverage, see the Editorial Standards.