Aroostook County landowner taken into custody as firefighters battle debris pile fires

A landowner was taken into custody for erratic driving as firefighters attempted to bring a fire spread among 20 debris piles under control in Madawaska on Monday night, officials say. The Madawaska Fire Department responded to what was originally reported as a roughly 3-acre forest fire spreading up a hill near Beaulieu Road at about 8:35 p.m. on Monday, the department said in a news release Tuesday. Firefighters determined the flames, stemming from debris piles, originated on a property on Gagnon Road. Upon arrival, crews found 20 to 30 large slash piles — debris piles consisting of branches, brush and other organic materials — ablaze with flames 10 to 20 feet high, the department said. The piles were spread across a roughly 14-acre area. Two other piles were also burning across the street. The landowner had a burn permit but was not in control of the fires, according to the fire department. Firefighters prioritized several piles that posed the highest risk of spreading, the department said. “While fighting the fires, firefighters had to shelter behind apparatus while the landowner was subdued by police for driving erratically, potentially threatening the well-being of firefighters,” the fire department stated. The landowner was eventually taken into custody and charges are pending, according to the fire department. Madawaska Police Chief Jamie Pelletier could not immediately be reached Tuesday night for further details on the incident. Firefighting efforts resumed and a fire watch was set up for the remainder of the night, the fire department said. Nearly 20 firefighters responded, the department said, with the Maine Forest Service providing assistance. Copy the Story Link Tagged: [fire](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/fire/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson) [Drew JohnsonStaff Writer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson) Drew is the night reporter for the Portland Press Herald. He previously covered South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth for the Sentry, Leader and Southern Forecaster. Though he is from Massachusetts,. [More by Drew Johnson](https://www.pressherald.com/author/drew-johnson)