Dry ground keeps Laconia firefighters busy

LACONIA — The Laconia Fire Department handled two simultaneous calls Sunday morning, as firefighters responded to a two-vehicle accident and a dumpster fire within minutes of each other.

Chief Tim Joubert said at 11:01 a.m. on Sept. 28, the Laconia Fire Department was called to 1187 Weirs Blvd for a motor vehicle accident. While the dispatcher reported the incident as involving a vehicle striking a pedestrian, Joubert said it was a minor accident between two vehicles.

“There were three people total," Joubert said. No one was taken to the hospital. “They were all up and walking, conscious, and alert.”

At 11:04 a.m. Sept. 28, firefighters responded to Soleil Mountain Road for a dumpster fire, and while it was minor and easily contained, two calls at once can cause strain on any agency. Crews arrived to find residents in the area applying water to the fire.

Firefighters also responded to several brush fires throughout the weekend. When asked if he thought the string of rainy days is helping with the drought, Joubert said the ground is still extremely dry.

Last week, Gov. Kelly Ayotte made a proclamation prohibiting outside fires, and smoking in and around wooded areas across the state. According to drought.gov, the City of Laconia is in “severe drought” status, and towns to the north and west like Meredith and Bristol are considered to be in “extreme drought.” More than 94% of the state, which includes 1.1 million residents, is experiencing drought conditions.

“The burn ban is still in effect, so nothing has been lifted yet,” Joubert said.