Disasters · Underground fireLoudon wildland fire: Nearly 10 acres burned, drone hotspot check plannedAired November 2, 2026 at 5:26 PM UTCWritten November 2, 2026 at 5:47 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Firefighters dug underground to reach burning roots and tree debris.0:10The fire covered nearly ten acres near Old Shaker Road in Loudoun, New Hampshire.0:15Crews believe it's out, but planned a heat, sensing drone check for hotspots.0:19Whether heat remains beneath the ground is still unresolved.0:21Loudon Fire Chief Thomas Blanchett said crews saw no smoke by Sunday evening,0:26November first.0:27He believed the fire was completely out.0:29The affected land near Old Shaker Road included an area logged a couple of years0:33earlier.0:33The visible flames reached about twenty four inches, but the burning also extended0:38underground.0:38Blanchette described a slow, creeping fire, helped along by dry conditions and winds0:43of fifteen to twenty five miles an hour.0:45Crews had to dig into the ground and use specialized tools to cut through roots and0:48burning tree debris.0:49The previously logged area contained logging roads, dead stumps and leftover0:54branches, and other debris that complicated the work.1:03Firefighters first responded Saturday evening, October thirty-first.1:06Trucks from at least four towns and forestry vehicles were there that night.1:09Crews worked until about one thirty Sunday morning, then returned later that morning1:13to continue fighting the fire.1:15Just shy of forty firefighters ultimately worked the incident.1:18Blanchette said the holiday and weekend made getting crews there difficult.1:21It took time to bring people in and get them working on the fire.1:24The Forest Protection Bureau worked alongside Loudoun firefighters.1:27Departments from Hookset, Allensown, Pembroke, Epsom, Chichester, Pittsfield,1:31Canterbury, and Salisbury also responded.1:32Concord and Belmont firefighters covered Loudoun's other active calls, keeping crews1:36available while the wildland response continued.1:39The fire began in a marshy area, which Blanchett called an unusual starting place.1:43Crews reached the area where it started, but couldn't find the ignition source.1:46The chief said they couldn't determine the actual cause.1:49Blanchette urged people to pay attention to outdoor fires, smoking materials, and1:53wood stoves during the dry conditions.1:55His warning focused on preventing another fire.1:58Crews planned to return Monday, November2nd, with the Forest Protection Bureau and a2:02heat sensing drone to check for remaining hot spots.2:04The department hasn't announced inspection results.2:07Sunday's lack of visible smoke leaves that underground heat check unfinished.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSS
