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Smoke from the fire on Canton Mountain could be seen for miles.

Firefighters keep an eye on a blaze Saturday on Canton Mountain in Jay. About 40 firefighters battled a woods fire that burned about an acre and is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike, Jay Fire Rescue Chief Mike Booker said. Jay firefighters returned two more times Sunday to put out smoldering areas and some flareups. Jay Fire Rescue photo

JAY — A lightning strike is believed to have caused a fire that burned about an acre of woods on the side of Canton Mountain on Saturday off Canton Mountain Road. The road is located off Davenport Hill Road, near state Route 140.

Firefighters returned three times Saturday and Sunday to put out spots that continued to smolder or flare up.

Jay firefighters were preparing to attend the Wilton Blueberry Festival when a person stopped at the North Jay Fire Station to report smoke on the mountain at about 5:54 p.m. Saturday, according to Fire Rescue Chief Mike Booker. The smoke could be seen for miles.

About 40 firefighters from Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Canton, Peru, Dixfield, Farmington, Mexico and Wilton responded, as well as a NorthStar EMS ambulance.

Firefighters had to pull in about 2,000 feet of hose, hiking about a half- to three-quarters of a mile to get to the fire’s source. Farmington Fire Rescue and Canton and Mexico fire departments brought side-by-side four-wheelers to carry equipment and personnel to the fire site. Livermore brought its forestry truck up to the top of the mountain, Booker said.

A Maine Forest Service helicopter was requested but was unavailable, he said. A cabin in the woods sat on the edge of the fire, and houses on Canton Mountain Road could have been endangered.Advertisement

Smoke is seen Saturday on Canton Mountain from more than 2 miles away. Officials say a lightning strike is believed to have caused a fire that burned about an acre of woods on the mountain in Jay. Jay Fire Rescue photo

Firefighters were on the scene for about four hours trying to make sure the fire was out. Smoke had been seen about noon on Saturday but was not reported, Booker said.

Jay firefighters returned to the site on Sunday to make sure the fire was out, but there was smoke, smoldering and a little fire showing, requiring fire pumps, water packs and hand tools to put out.

The land owner, James Boldway, reported at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday that there were a few smoldering spots so firefighters returned once again.

“There were no injuries and no damage to structures,” Booker said. “The cause was believed to be a lightning strike and it had been burning several hours prior to it being reported.”

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