***Facilitators Field Reference***

***for the***

***Bar Harbor Fire Staff Ride***

NOVEMBER 2005

**STAFF RIDE DIFFICULTY RATING:**

[Physical]{.underline}

Light - All points of the staff ride are accessible by vehicle.

[Logistics]{.underline}

Moderate - The majority of this staff ride is within Acadia National
Park. For groups conducting an official staff ride prior coordination
with the park fire management staff is required to waive the park
entrance fee. Contact park dispatch at 207-288-8791 and ask for the fire
management program. Ample lodging and meal accommodations are available
in Ellsworth and Bar Harbor, ME. Access to all stands is not possible
during winter months. Parking may be difficult during peak tourist
season which is July and August.

Acadia National Park is located approximately six hours north of Boston.
From Boston take I-95 north to Augusta, Maine; from Augusta take Route 3
east to Ellsworth and on to Mount Desert Island; follow the signs to the
Acadia National Park (Hulls Cove) Visitor Center. The Visitor Center has
a 3D map and film about the fire. For this reason it is recommended that
a Staff Ride begin from the Visitor Center. For current visitor center
hours of operation visit the following website:
<http://www.nps.gov/acad/pphtml/planyourvisit.html>.

[Hazards]{.underline}

**[Other users:]{.underline}** Access roads within the park are used by
other park visitors and public transportation buses. Care should be
taken while driving within the park.

**[Weather:]{.underline}** On a daily and annual basis, Mount Desert
Island temperatures are more moderate than those of inland Maine. The
Maine coastal climate has been ranked second only to the Pacific
Northwest in annual precipitation. This moisture occurs in every form at
Acadia. Ice storms are regular in winter and early spring, and rain is
frequent in every month. Fog is common during June, July and August.

NOTE TO FACILITATORS: THIS IS A SUGGESTED FORMAT. DO NOT FEEL LIMITED BY
THE INDENTIFIED STANDS OR DISCUSSION ITEMS. IT IS PROVIDED AS A WORD
DOCUMENT SO THAT USERS MAY ADAPT AND REVISE IT TO FIT THEIR SPECIFIC
AUDIENCE AND TIME DEMANDS.

**Stand 1 -- Point of Origin**

[Maps]{.underline}

Topographic map

[Access]{.underline}

**DMDD NAD 27 Conus GPS Coordinates: N 44..40677 x W 068.31324**

Starting at the Hull's Cove Visitors Center:

Proceed out of the parking lot and make an immediate left. At the
junction of Route 3 turn left again and proceed 0.4 miles and turn left
onto Crooked Road. Proceed straight on Crooked Road 3.1 miles. Parking
is on your left on Betsy's Road (limited). Stand 1 is across the street.

[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}

Point of origin (marsh/Dolliver's dump looking west)

Direction of fire spread

[Events to Describe]{.underline}

Weather and fire situation in 1947

Fire organization in 1947

Initial report and response October 17^th^ to 20^th^

[Discussion Topics]{.underline}

-   1947 began as a rather uneventful year for wildfire activity. The
    spring and early summer had been normal with above average rainfall
    for May. However, August brought only 0.56 inches of rain; the
    monthly average being 3.25. September saw 2.38 inches, the average
    being 3.97, but it fell early in the month. October brought 0.08
    inches. In effect there occurred a 65 day period of [no]{.underline}
    perceivable rainfall for the area.

    -   Historically, Maine's wildfire season opens when the snow leaves
        the ground in late March to early April, burning grasses, brush
        and slash. It slows usually through June and returns with drying
        conditions in July and August at which time fires tend to burn
        slash and softwood stands. The Atlantic Ocean typically keeps
        the relative humidity high at night and tends to produce more
        moderate conditions than are experienced in the western states.
        [The late summer and fall of 1947 was a rare
        exception.]{.underline}

    -   The dry conditions resulted in numerous wildfires statewide with
        many structures being destroyed and thousands of acres of forest
        land going up in smoke. As a result, burning bans had been put
        in effect with a number of national and state forests being
        effectively closed by October 17^th^ and ultimately a National
        Emergency Declaration by President Truman on October 24^th^.

        -   The towns on Mount Desert Island are relatively small with
            limited year round populations. Although quite used to
            wildfires, their main orientation was structure fire
            fighting with no more than a few trucks and almost all their
            personnel being volunteers. At the time no county wide
            mutual aid agreement existed.

        -   Acadia National Park had 1 truck, 5 portable pumps, and hand
            tools for 200 personnel. Although fuel reduction projects by
            the Civilian Conservation Corps had been discontinued during
            the war, wildfire suppression classes had continued with a
            three day course having been presented in May of 1947.

        -   Bar Harbor fire department received a call at 1605 on
            Friday, October 17^th^ reporting a fire at Dolliver's dump
            on the Crooked Road. They responded with one truck, a pumper
            and 4 personnel. Arriving at 1618, they found a rapidly
            spreading one acre fire on the edge of Fresh Meadow. A
            direct attack was made and an additional 16 men arrived.
            Fire Chief David Sleeper called Acadia National Park for
            additional resources at 1645; they responded with a fire
            truck, a dump truck, 2 portable pumps and 5 men. Winds at
            the time were southwest at 8 mph. The fire was burning
            across the bog and into the adjoining forestland. With these
            additional resources, crews worked through the night and by
            noon on the 18^th^ the fire had been generally contained at
            about 100 acres. Mop-up and active patrolling continued
            through the 20^th^.

            -   The cause of the fire, although never officially
                established, is listed on the final report as debris
                (refuse) burning. The dump owner had denied any recent
                burning on site.

**Handout Strategic Discussion Point #1 prior to leaving Stand 1**

Tell participants to have their responses ready when they arrive at
Stand 2.

**Stand 2 -- 1947 Fire Overlook**

[Maps]{.underline}

Fire progression map

[Access]{.underline}

**DMDD NAD 27 GPS Coordinates N 44.38433 X W 068.22987**

Reverse your steps and return to the Visitor's Center. Rather than enter
the parking lot enter the Paradise Hill Road (this becomes Park Loop
Road just past stand two) which proceeds directly from the parking lot.
Continue south on this road for 2.3 miles. There will be a pullout to
your left for the vista entitled "Fire of 47". This is stand two.

[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}

Bar Harbor

Cadillac Mountain

Direction of fire spread

[Events to describe]{.underline}

Vegetation indicators of the fire footprint

Fire progression and control efforts October 21-22

[Discussion Topics]{.underline}

**Conduct Strategic Discussion Point #1**

-   Although the first French explorers in the 1600's named this island
    "Mount Desert" due to the barren desert like mountain tops, prior to
    the '47 fire much of what now appears to be bare granite ledges with
    scattered thin scrub growth was in fact forested. Conifer and mixed
    growth covered 90% of the island. This basically was white and red
    spruce, balsam fir, and eastern white pine with predominate
    hardwoods being American beech, yellow birch, red oak, and sugar
    maple with some birch and aspen family trees.

-   Although over 55 years have passed and forest recovery is well under
    way, one can see extensive areas of younger growth, especially
    dominated by pioneer species such as white and gray birches and red
    maples with occasional islands or isolated white pines or large
    oaks.

-   A strong northeast wind picked up early in the morning of October
    21^st^. The fire of the 18^th^, which was still under patrol,
    escaped its control lines crossing the Crooked Road at about 0745. A
    general alarm was sounded at 0800 for resources to fight the rapidly
    spreading flames. By 1000 Bar Harbor Fire Chief Sleeper called Dow
    Army Air Base requesting manpower; they were able to send 225
    officers and soldiers to support the suppression efforts.

-   By 1600 the fire had swept southeasterly, crossing the Eagle Lake
    Road to the shore of Eagle Lake, and was burning on national park
    lands. By the evening when the winds abated somewhat an additional
    1000 acres burned.

-   Resource reinforcement and adjustments were made and line
    construction efforts were progressing reasonably well until October
    22^nd^ when northwest winds increased around noon. The fire crowned
    inside the control line and escaped.

**Handout Strategic Discussion Point #2 prior to leaving Stand 2**

Tell participants to have their responses ready when they arrive at
Stand 3.

**Stand 3 -- Bar Harbor Overlook**

[Maps]{.underline}

Topographic map

Fire progression map

[Access]{.underline}

**DMDD NAD 27 GPS Coordinates N 44.36142 X W 068.23025**

Continue south on Park Loop Road for 1.1 miles, bearing right at the
intersection, until you come to the entrance of Cadillac Mountain Road
on your left. Turn left on this road and climb 2.1 miles to a pullout on
your left. This is Stand 3.

[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}

Bar Harbor

Direction of fire spread

[Events to Describe]{.underline}

Bar Harbor interface areas

Evacuation efforts

Fire progression and control efforts

[Discussion Topics]{.underline}

**Conduct Strategic Discussion Point #2**

-   October 23^rd^ was the day when southwesterly winds switched around
    again to the Northeast and increased to gale force.

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-   By this point personnel and equipment resources from all over the
    northeastern United States were being brought in to fight this fire.
    Stiff southwesterly winds pushed the fire towards the community of
    Hulls Cove and Northern portions of Bar Harbor. Structures were
    being lost and major evacuation efforts were underway when at about
    1500 a frontal passage earlier and stronger than predicted brought
    40 to 50 mile per hour northwest winds.

-   The fire escaped all control in all sectors. The community of Hulls
    Cove was spared the worst but flames swept towards the village of
    Bar Harbor. Roaring from the northwest, fire rolled over the low
    shoulder hills and the western residential areas where numerous
    million dollar hotels and mansions had been built. These summer
    homes and recreational facilities, built by and for the wealthy
    families of the northeast, were almost exclusively built of wood.
    They were almost impossible to protect. Even today's equipment
    probably wouldn't have helped.

-   Surprisingly, the town center and waterfront were spared
    destruction. The fire swept through and past the village, consuming
    the Jackson Laboratory and ran basically unchecked to the sea along
    the area called Ocean Drive. 300 dwellings were lost in Bar Harbor
    that day.

-   Evacuation efforts began early when the control lines failed on the
    23^rd^. About 2000 residents of Bar Harbor had been collected at the
    town's athletic field by noon on the 23^rd^ but were moved to the
    town dock once the fire advanced to the edge of town. Unfortunately,
    evacuation by boat was very limited due to the small number of boats
    available because of high wind and rough seas.

-   Fortunately, as the fire swept past and spared the downtown and dock
    area, evacuation by sea became unnecessary. Vehicle convoys were
    able to move evacuees to the mainland once the main threat passed.

-   Despite all the structures destroyed and all the panic and
    displacement only two lives were lost in the fire. The story of "The
    Bar Harbor Fire" made national headlines and elicited national
    sympathy, support, and relief efforts.

-   Control of the fire along the northeast side, near Hulls Cove, began
    to be lost with the southwesterly wind in the late morning. Despite
    large numbers of firefighters, soldiers from Dow Airfield,
    volunteers from neighboring towns, the University of Maine, and even
    Bangor Theological Seminary, the strong winds and extremely dry
    fuels resulted in extreme fire behavior which defied all containment
    efforts. Once the winds shifted and reached gale force the
    evacuation of civilians and firefighters became the only priority.

-   On the Southwest side of the fire, located in the national park,
    containment efforts were progressing well throughout the day until
    the major wind shift caused the fire to blow up. Here also the
    priority shifted to firefighter safety and evacuation.

**Handout Strategic Discussion Point #3 prior to leaving Stand 3**

Tell participants to have their responses ready when they arrive at
Stand 4.

**Stand #4 -- Jordan Pond**

[Maps]{.underline}

Topographic map

Fire progression map

[Access]{.underline}

**DMDD NAD 27 GPS Coordinates N 44.31996 X W 068.25372**

Return back down the mountain to the junction of the Park Loop Road and
turn left at the intersection. Proceed 3.9 miles south to the Jordan
Pond access road on your right. Park along this road. The Nature Trail
is at the end of the road. This is Stand 4.

[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}

Jordan Pond

The Bubbles

Direction of fire spread

[Events to Describe]{.underline}

Long term natural resources impacts

Pre-1947 fuel condition examples

Terrain considerations

[Discussion Topics]{.underline}

**Conduct Strategic Discussion Point #3**

-   The extremely dry conditions in the fall of 1947 and the resulting
    Bar Harbor Fire had a significant impact on the natural resources of
    this area. First, the fire destroyed the trees in the burn area.
    Unlike tree types in some parts of the country, the trees here in
    New England have poor fire resistance and resilience. Most of the
    trees in the burn area, whether conifers or deciduous, died or were
    significantly damaged. Second, the dry conditions resulted in
    extensive ground fire. This resulted in additional tree mortality,
    severe wind throw in subsequent years, and severe erosion of the
    already thin soils and duff which existed in this area prior to the
    fire.

-   The coastal areas of Maine are no stranger to wildfire. The
    underlying granite that dominates this area is slow to produce soil
    and what is produced is poor in quality when compared to soils in
    areas which are predominately sedimentary. Fires which have occurred
    naturally or have a human cause frequently have resulted in duff and
    soil degradation and erosion. This, when coupled with climatological
    and environmental conditions such as harsh winters with high winds
    and frequent ice storms, results in slowed tree recovery after a
    fire event.

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-   In this area, because it did not burn in 1947, one can see the size
    and type of fuels that existed on much of the island prior to the
    fire. Low areas tend to be dominated by large spruce, cedar, fir,
    and white pine. Where soil and weather conditions permit, hardwood
    trees figure into the mix. At higher elevations the trees show
    weather stress as sub-alpine conditions are reached.

-   In most of the area, especially where the softwoods are dominant,
    there exists a duff layer which can extend deep into the ground in
    the gaps and cracks between rocks and ledges. This figured heavily
    in the extensive mop-up required after the fire moved through an
    area.

    -   Unlike much of the western regions of this country, coastal
        Maine has a lot of available water. Unfortunately most fires are
        uphill from the water and many times the lakes, ponds, and bogs
        are as much a barrier to transport as they are to fire spread.
        This is especially important when one considers that everything
        and everyone that arrives or departs Mount Desert Island crosses
        the two lane causeway bridge in Trenton.

        -   The steep hills in this area also limit access and proved to
            be hazardous to navigate especially after the fire burned
            away most of the trees roots and duff which helped hold
            rocks and ledges in place. The area of the fire within the
            national park had the benefit, however, of a well
            established road and trail system which aided access and
            suppression efforts.

**Handout Strategic Discussion Point #4**

Tell participants to have their responses ready when they arrive at
Stand 5.

**Stand #5-- Seal Harbor**

[Maps]{.underline}

Topographic map

Fire progression map

[Access]{.underline}

**DMDD NAD 27 GPS Coordinates N 44.29640 X W 068.21089**

Proceed back out to the Park Loop Road and turn right. Traveling south
again, go 1.4 miles to the junction of Stanley Brook Road. This is the
end of the two way road. Turn right onto Stanley Brook Road and proceed
1.1 miles to its terminus. At the entrance turn left and there is a
parking lot 100 meters east. This is Stand 5.

[Terrain Orientation]{.underline}

Atlantic Ocean

Seal Harbor

Southern terminus of fire

[Events to Describe]{.underline}

Final fire perimeter and control efforts October 24^th^ to 27^th^

Long term organizational responses

Public memory and awareness

[Discussion Topics]{.underline}

**Conduct Strategic Discussion Point #4**

-   By October 24^th^ the gale force winds had subsided. The fire
    managers of the National Park Service met to collect, assess, and
    reorganize their equipment and personnel. Wilbur Savage was
    designated as fire boss and subsequent organizational and tactical
    assignments were made. Supplies and personnel poured in from all
    over the United States as the evacuation of residents continued.
    Control lines in the form of hose line, dozer lines, and hand lines
    were established and defended. The fire made no rapid advances after
    the morning of the 24^th^. By 1630 on the 24^th^ the fire was
    declared under control. Relative humidity levels improved and rains
    returned to the area as reinforcement of control lines and mop-up
    operations continued until the fire was declared out at 1600 on
    November 14^th^. The fire had burned a total of 17,333 acres, 8,750
    of which was on Acadia National Park lands.

-   The Mount Desert Island Fire, along with the other wildfires which
    burned over 200,000 acres across the state of Maine that fall
    resulted in a major reassessment of the needs, threats, hazards, and
    costs of fighting wildlfires locally, statewide, and nationally.

-   Locally, recovery from fire would take years; however, it became the
    number one priority. Fire departments quickly replaced lost or
    destroyed equipment and immediately began upgrading their ability to
    tackle wildland fires so that the '47 fire would never be repeated.
    Policies, standards, and cooperative agreements were developed at
    all levels and are still in force today in order to effect a more
    rapid, coordinated and ultimately effective response to any wildland
    emergency. Wildland fire prevention and suppression is taken [very
    seriously]{.underline} in coastal Maine to this day.