WCSH-TV5 • July 24, 2020
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service (MFS) is still trying to determine the cause of a fire at Baxter State Park in May. The May 21 fire occurred at an area known as T2 R10 Wels and started near the Appalachian Trail on the Penobscot River's West Branch. The blaze consumed 45 acres of land. A log cabin, two outbuildings, and a newly constructed trail bridge over Katahdin Stream were destroyed in the fire. The total estimated cost to suppress the fire is more than $33,000. Statewide, to date, Forest Rangers responded to nearly 800 fires, representing close to 900 acres, the highest fire count in 10 years.