WEBSTER, N.H.-- Brush fires flared up across the state Thursday, including one that shut down the Londonderry Turnpike in Hooksett, N.H.
Police said that the turnpike was closed between Smyth Road and the Verizon Wireless building, and they aren't sure when it will re-open.
Fires broke out in Kingston, Eaton, Chatham, Goffstown, Manchester, Hooksett and Webster. The Webster fire began Wednesday, and firefighters were able to get it under control by Thursday morning.
Forest Ranger Doug Miner said that the 5-acre fire appeared to have been set intentionally.
"There's no natural reason or cause for this to have occurred here," Miner said. "Obviously, there's some human cause involved with this one."
Officials said that the fire was able to spread in part because of the ongoing dry weather. They said they're seeing conditions that are usually not seen until much later in the year.
"We're having to dig the hot embers out 4 or 5 inches deep in the soil," Miner said. "That's very unusual this time of year."
A fire in Eaton near the Maine border burned 20 to 25 acres. Firefighters faced rough terrain and dangerous conditions and had to be pulled out of the area at one point.
"We had one crew that was up on top that a fairly good size tree came down to within 5, 6 feet of them," Center Conway Assistant Chief Ray Leavitt said. "At that point, protecting property is not as important as protecting life."
Unlike the Webster fire, the fire in Eaton is not considered suspicious. Officials believe it was caused by winds blowing a branch onto power lines. Crews will stationed there throughout the day to deal with flare-ups.
Cheshire and Hillsborough counties were under a red-flag warning Thursday, indicating a high fire danger. Some rain is in the forecast late Saturday into Sunday, which could bring enough moisture to alleviate the fire danger in some parts of the state.
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