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Wildfire Loose: The Week Maine Burned
Many people still recall October 1947, when Maine experienced the worst fire disaster in its history. Wildfire Loose is the definitive history of those terrible and exciting days. This 50th anniversary edition includes text and photos not previously published.
If this were fiction it would be a great yarn, (but) the tragedy is all true.
Wildfire Loose deserves the highest marks for research, for balance, for writing, and for readability.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
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April 15, 2012
The fires of October 1947 consumed over 200,000 acres with 15 people dying and many hundreds being made homeless and considerable numbers losing their livelihoods.
Joyce Butler's book is one of quality research using contemporary reports and publications with a large number of interviews with survivors of the fires (tape recorded by the author 1976-78).
The book describes the background to how the fires were able to spread with such speed over so vast areas, and also the people of Maine - firefighters; State and town officials and the ordinary folk - are given a voice to tell the story of their surprise, fear (but never panic), helplessness and sheer courage in the battles to confront and stop the fires, or all too often to flee its path.
The fires moved quickly across the tops of trees (crowning), along the ground and even underneath via root systems that were dry so they acted like a candle's wick. This meant the firefighters - trained and those who volunteered - needed nerves of steel as well as equipment and strategy. They certainly had nerves of steel and their strategies were mixed but equipment was often too old or there was simply not enough.
Volunteers - civil and military - came from States nearby but also from across the US - as did it would seem crooks and even some arsonists (it was believed).
The fires moved at incredible speeds with wind changing the direction and threat on whim. Fires leapt across roads, existing or hastily prepared firebreaks and even open fields or it would pop up unexpectedly from underground. It also left odd houses or spots whilst others burned just feet away.
Aside from the firefighters' bravery I was struck by the courage of the people who lived in the isolated cabins/houses as well as those in towns that were devasted or threatened.
The men who did all they could fighting fires and then rushing home to evacuate their families; the ladies who packed, prepared and then moved their children, animals and possesions; the ladies and men who kept telephones going or made doughnuts, sandwiches, coffee to full blown meals for those tackling the fires.
They had a almost Blitz mentality in that "they could take it" (paraphrasing Churchill about the British people during the German bombing during the Second World War), and I say this as the Maine citizens likened the destruction of their houses, towns and environment to cities they had seen in war torn Europe just two years earlier.
The final chapters discuss the lessons learned and how a repeat has so far been avoided, and also how the area and even the trees and vegatation that grow there have changed. Having holidayed in Arcadia NP I didn't appreciate the changes in trees and types because of the fire - next time I will and I hope I can spot where fire ravaged an area and where it did not.
If you live or have a strong connection by family to Maine I recommend you read this book. To understand how devastating a forest fire can be and that it could happen happen again to an area more prosperous and populous than it was in 1947.
Also read it to appreciate people who had no choice but to choose to fight or flight - almost to a man/woman they did both and at the right time. The fire of 1947 should not be forgotten and their relations and fellow Americans today should be very proud of them.
(NB I originally marked this as a three star but on reflection it is a four. I had struggled with the vast amount of place and people names - that is my fault not the author's although a few more maps would have been helpful.
Joyce Butler's book is one of quality research using contemporary reports and publications with a large number of interviews with survivors of the fires (tape recorded by the author 1976-78).
The book describes the background to how the fires were able to spread with such speed over so vast areas, and also the people of Maine - firefighters; State and town officials and the ordinary folk - are given a voice to tell the story of their surprise, fear (but never panic), helplessness and sheer courage in the battles to confront and stop the fires, or all too often to flee its path.
The fires moved quickly across the tops of trees (crowning), along the ground and even underneath via root systems that were dry so they acted like a candle's wick. This meant the firefighters - trained and those who volunteered - needed nerves of steel as well as equipment and strategy. They certainly had nerves of steel and their strategies were mixed but equipment was often too old or there was simply not enough.
Volunteers - civil and military - came from States nearby but also from across the US - as did it would seem crooks and even some arsonists (it was believed).
The fires moved at incredible speeds with wind changing the direction and threat on whim. Fires leapt across roads, existing or hastily prepared firebreaks and even open fields or it would pop up unexpectedly from underground. It also left odd houses or spots whilst others burned just feet away.
Aside from the firefighters' bravery I was struck by the courage of the people who lived in the isolated cabins/houses as well as those in towns that were devasted or threatened.
The men who did all they could fighting fires and then rushing home to evacuate their families; the ladies who packed, prepared and then moved their children, animals and possesions; the ladies and men who kept telephones going or made doughnuts, sandwiches, coffee to full blown meals for those tackling the fires.
They had a almost Blitz mentality in that "they could take it" (paraphrasing Churchill about the British people during the German bombing during the Second World War), and I say this as the Maine citizens likened the destruction of their houses, towns and environment to cities they had seen in war torn Europe just two years earlier.
The final chapters discuss the lessons learned and how a repeat has so far been avoided, and also how the area and even the trees and vegatation that grow there have changed. Having holidayed in Arcadia NP I didn't appreciate the changes in trees and types because of the fire - next time I will and I hope I can spot where fire ravaged an area and where it did not.
If you live or have a strong connection by family to Maine I recommend you read this book. To understand how devastating a forest fire can be and that it could happen happen again to an area more prosperous and populous than it was in 1947.
Also read it to appreciate people who had no choice but to choose to fight or flight - almost to a man/woman they did both and at the right time. The fire of 1947 should not be forgotten and their relations and fellow Americans today should be very proud of them.
(NB I originally marked this as a three star but on reflection it is a four. I had struggled with the vast amount of place and people names - that is my fault not the author's although a few more maps would have been helpful.
May 21, 2024
This is a very well thought out documentation about the wildfires that swept through southern Maine in 1947, wreaking havoc on everything in its path.
I go to Maine quite often so this topic has interested me for some time and I knew it was an important part of Maine’s history as well as it being a large part of why Maine has its current foliage.
There were a lot of wildfires so it might seem that the author jumps around a bit but when you know a little bit about the geography of southern Maine and understand it wasn’t just one wildfire, it makes sense.
Overall, this was a great book full of detailed information about what caused the wildfires of ‘47, the extent of the damage that it caused, and actions the officials took to keep it from happening again.
Would definitely recommend this book if you have an interest in an important part of Maine history.
I go to Maine quite often so this topic has interested me for some time and I knew it was an important part of Maine’s history as well as it being a large part of why Maine has its current foliage.
There were a lot of wildfires so it might seem that the author jumps around a bit but when you know a little bit about the geography of southern Maine and understand it wasn’t just one wildfire, it makes sense.
Overall, this was a great book full of detailed information about what caused the wildfires of ‘47, the extent of the damage that it caused, and actions the officials took to keep it from happening again.
Would definitely recommend this book if you have an interest in an important part of Maine history.
October 29, 2021
Read this for the historical interest, as I'm a 3rd-generation southern Mainer who never heard of the '47 fire prior to finding this book. It's a bit dry in places, but is certainly comprehensive. A worthwhile read if you're interested in the area's history, wildfire & firefighting, or why Maine hasn't seen the same catastrophic fires since.
August 24, 2025
I have heard about the Maine wildfire of 1947 for years and I really enjoyed reading about it especially since I have roots in Maine and so many of the places that burned are so familiar to me. At times, it was a little disjointed for me to get a chronological idea of the events. Reading about how the Mainers pitched in and helped one another was really inspiring.
May 30, 2023
This book is an excellent text book of an event in Maine, October 1947.
The fires that burned all over the state. Some more famous than others, but it changed the life of all Mainers going fwd.
The main cause…. Were two
First, the dry weather of the entire year leading up to October. The source of fuel was everywhere. The winds from the northwest blew across the state and the fires followed course.
But second, this was just after WWII, the country was trying to get back to normal. Maine was not. Large metropolitan area, it was a series of small towns and villages, family farms, with some more populated coastal towns for a beginning vacation population.
There was no communication between these villages, no communication that the emergency services could use for real time information, anywhere. There was no equipment to fight fires like this, they had volunteers, but not the equipment or knowledge to fight this. Cities sent help, that was good for fighting a city fire.
Much was learned from this, the fire protection began to change from these lessons.
Myself, I am aware of the fires near Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise and the rest of York County. If you know where to look, you can still see the scares of this fire.
The fires that burned all over the state. Some more famous than others, but it changed the life of all Mainers going fwd.
The main cause…. Were two
First, the dry weather of the entire year leading up to October. The source of fuel was everywhere. The winds from the northwest blew across the state and the fires followed course.
But second, this was just after WWII, the country was trying to get back to normal. Maine was not. Large metropolitan area, it was a series of small towns and villages, family farms, with some more populated coastal towns for a beginning vacation population.
There was no communication between these villages, no communication that the emergency services could use for real time information, anywhere. There was no equipment to fight fires like this, they had volunteers, but not the equipment or knowledge to fight this. Cities sent help, that was good for fighting a city fire.
Much was learned from this, the fire protection began to change from these lessons.
Myself, I am aware of the fires near Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise and the rest of York County. If you know where to look, you can still see the scares of this fire.
December 31, 2019
A remarkable regional history book was written at a time when many of the witnesses were still alive, yet before the time of the internet and digital media. A tour de force of old fashion research and dedication. I did find it difficult to follow at times, perhaps because it didn't read it at one sitting or in one sustained. sequential reading schedule. In some ways that is understandable in that Maine was assaulted not by one fire in one place but a sequence of massive outbreaks all in one short time-frame. The book would have been more understandable with some improved graphics. The topic begs for someone to redo this seminal work by Ms. Butler. Her work though will stand as a monument nevertheless.
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April 1, 2021What an interesting book and part of Maine's history that if I knew anything about it, it would have only been by a passing knowledge. This was a large fire that kept on burning and consumed not only forests, but homes and communities up and down the coast of Maine. There were also mentions of fires in Aroostook County, specifically in Fort Fairfield; also in a few places Downeast. I recall that there was a fire in the Millinocket area about the same time, but could have been off a year or so from this widespread fire which attracted national attention. It just goes to show you that there is much of our own history that we know little about.
December 14, 2018
Although there was tons of research both primary and secondary sources to highlight this interesting piece of Maine history, it was dull. The primary sources should have been more interesting.
I read this shortly after massive wildfires in California. It gave me an additional view point on how terrifying and fast moving wildfires affect everything. I was happy to see that then and now human beings working together against this natural disaster.
I read this shortly after massive wildfires in California. It gave me an additional view point on how terrifying and fast moving wildfires affect everything. I was happy to see that then and now human beings working together against this natural disaster.
September 5, 2022
This is a nonfiction account of the great fires in Maine in 1947. Since I just got back from a trip to the Bar Harbor area, I was very interested in learning about this part of history. Very detailed accounts and very interesting.
May 8, 2024
This fast-paced book was an emotional experience to read. One could be tempted to think it couldn't happen again but even though we have better technology now, climate change is making wildfire a greater risk.
October 11, 2024
Joyce Butler captures the moment. She pulls from multiple disciplines to tell a wildly entertaining and tragically true story. I'm from Maine and can see many of the cultural aspects I love about this place are rooted in its history; and the 1947 fires are a major part of that fabric.
November 11, 2024
This book is a thrilling and somber read; a well present accounting of the worst Maine fire season. Wildfire today may look different due to modern fighting and technological advances but the human experience of “wildfire loose” is very akin to today. A worthwhile read indeed!
September 3, 2021
Very interesting bc had never heard of it even though family is from Maine. Got into the weeds and repetitive sometimes. Worth knowing given changing climate.
January 25, 2026
The best description of the fires of ‘47 that ravaged Maine that I’ve read.
May 25, 2020
3 stars because the topic is interesting to someone who has some introduction to the 1947 fires and who’s been to the area enough to recognize the landmarks discussed in the book. Plus, fire is never not exciting. But this book could have been written in a much more cohesive and interesting way. Even just a map for those not super familiar with the geography would be helpful. Disappointing because it could just be so much better.
August 6, 2015
4.5 stars
My mother was a young girl when her community welcomed Bar Harbor residents evacuated from the ’47 Fire. I remember her describing the fear and destruction that week imparted on all Pine Tree state residents.
Author Joyce Butler does an incredible job of placing the reader back in time and place. The pace is intentionally slow, as was the interminable wait when community members wondered if the winds would shift and they would be out of harm’s way. Immersed in her descriptions, I heard the snap of the fires as they raged against trees sometimes three feet in diameter, watched for approaching clouds of billowing smoke, and smelled the acrid air & wiped my burning eyes.
I felt overwhelming sorrow, especially for the rural residents who watched their meager belongings and their crops and livestock go up in smoke, as well as for the employees of the million dollar homes who knew they were now without an income.
More importantly, I experienced the spirit and resiliency of Mainers who dropped everything to help neighbors and strangers alike and when the fires were contained, literally dusted off their hands and began again.
Post-fire, New England along with New York and the bordering Canadian Provinces implemented policy changes to deal with the possibility of future fires, and technological improvements in firefighting techniques since then have certainly come to pass. Still, I read this is a cautionary tale. With climate change and wildfires all too often in the news, I expect others would as well.
My mother was a young girl when her community welcomed Bar Harbor residents evacuated from the ’47 Fire. I remember her describing the fear and destruction that week imparted on all Pine Tree state residents.
Author Joyce Butler does an incredible job of placing the reader back in time and place. The pace is intentionally slow, as was the interminable wait when community members wondered if the winds would shift and they would be out of harm’s way. Immersed in her descriptions, I heard the snap of the fires as they raged against trees sometimes three feet in diameter, watched for approaching clouds of billowing smoke, and smelled the acrid air & wiped my burning eyes.
I felt overwhelming sorrow, especially for the rural residents who watched their meager belongings and their crops and livestock go up in smoke, as well as for the employees of the million dollar homes who knew they were now without an income.
More importantly, I experienced the spirit and resiliency of Mainers who dropped everything to help neighbors and strangers alike and when the fires were contained, literally dusted off their hands and began again.
Post-fire, New England along with New York and the bordering Canadian Provinces implemented policy changes to deal with the possibility of future fires, and technological improvements in firefighting techniques since then have certainly come to pass. Still, I read this is a cautionary tale. With climate change and wildfires all too often in the news, I expect others would as well.
October 27, 2016
We've traveled all over Mt. Desert Island for years but never knew the magnitude of the fire that burned there in the mid-20th Century until this year when we explored the ruins of extraordinary houses that were never rebuilt. What we also never knew was how much of Maine actually burned for a week in October 1947, some fires eclipsing that of Mt. Desert.
This book is filled with amazing anecdotes of entire communities decimated, people who lost everything, people who worked to stop the fires, people who helped in many other ways, and the strong ( and still have extant) forest fire fighting compact centralizing authority and resources that came out of this horrific experience.
The chapters are arranged chronologically by town as the fires reached them. Maps of these areas would have made it easier to follow the narrative.
This book is filled with amazing anecdotes of entire communities decimated, people who lost everything, people who worked to stop the fires, people who helped in many other ways, and the strong ( and still have extant) forest fire fighting compact centralizing authority and resources that came out of this horrific experience.
The chapters are arranged chronologically by town as the fires reached them. Maps of these areas would have made it easier to follow the narrative.
July 22, 2020
Interesting subject matter about the widespread forest fires that burned across Maine in 1947. Written 30 years after the event, most of the book strings together narratives from newspaper articles at the time or from author interviews with families affected by the fires, lending to many hyperbolic disaster passages interspersed with some touching, personal moments. While at times the chronology of events is confusing, the book is well-researched and captures a unique moment of history in post-WWII New England.
March 7, 2015
I found this a fascinating read. I tried to imagine what it must have been like and thanks to the author I could almost get myself there, but I think the size of the event goes beyond what I can imagine. I've never been close to a fire other than a nice, safe campfire. I also can't imagine viewing the type of devestation it caused. What I can imagein is how people came together to help themselves and their neighbors- that's what being a Mainer is all about!
September 17, 2025
I reread this book for background in working out the conclusion of a novel I am now writing. The pacing is just as exciting on a second read as on the first. The personal reports and the documentary evidence is smoothly integrated to give readers a sense of the urgency, terror, tragedy, and bravery shaping the autumn that Maine burned.
August 30, 2016
Fascinating account of October 1947, when the state of Maine experienced record-breaking drought and high temperatures accompanied by high winds. Fires began and were devastating in their scope, given the relatively primitive firefighting of the time.
Read
August 11, 2014Great descriptions of the Maine fires of 1947--key research for the next Ann Kinnear suspense novel, "The Sense of Reckoning"!
September 1, 2016
It took me a longer time to get through because it reads like a text book, but it is an important account of the 1947 fire that swept through Maine..
December 8, 2016
4 1/2. Enjoyed this very much.
March 17, 2015
Well worth the read if you're interested in recent Maine history.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews