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CapeCodFD.com |
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HISTORY - IN REVIEW |
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THE STORY ~ |
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May 1, 1965 Forest Fire Jumped Route 6 |
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PAGE CONTENTS |
M - Map 01 - The Fire Burned Rapidly 02 - The Fire Jumped the Mid-Cape Highway Route 6 03 - Aftermath of the Fire from the Air and Ground |
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MAP |
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CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
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The May 1, 1965 Forest Fire burned thousands of acres from about the middle of the hashed lines area (Camp Edward / Otis) into the dark green area (Shawme Crowell State Forest) above it. The fire stopped just before it got into the congested Sandwich Village. Many of
the photos from Dennis Newman collection. |
| 1 - THE FIRE
BURNED RAPIDLY |
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Sandwich May 1, 1965 |
The conditions could not have been better (or worse) for a serious forest fire on May 1, 1965. It had been dry and warm. The fire hazard classification was HIGH. All fire towers were up and keeping a sharp eye on the woods. Shortly after noon, temperatures in the area were about 75 degrees and the prevailing Southwest wind was blowing about 35 mph. At about 12:54 hrs, fire towers picked up a smoke out on the Base (Camp Edwards/Otis AFB). The towers lined the fire up in the area of Forestdale - Pocasset Road near the impact area. Otis Fire Department was responding. The fire progressed as follows. 12:54 hrs - Brush Fire is Reported in area of
FORESTDALE - POCASSET ROAD in Otis 13:03 hrs - The Bourne Fire Tower Updates A LOT OF FIRE THERE. 13:06 hrs - The Bourne Fire Tower Updates LOOKS REAL BAD. 13:12 hrs - Barnstable County Fire Patrol Plane P-18 in the
area Reports 40 - 50 ACRES BURNING 13:15 hrs - Fire Reached WOOD ROAD and is SPREADING FAST. 13:15 hrs - BOURNE FIRE TOWER put in Request for ADDITIONAL
TRUCKS 13:20 hrs - Calls made to PLYMOUTH COUNTY for 15 MORE BRUSH
BREAKERS and 13:25 hrs - The fire reached and CROSSED JEFFERSON ROAD and
was rapidly heading 13:30 hrs - The fire about to CROSS GIBBS ROAD. 13:45 hrs - The fire CROSSED GIBBS ROAD and HEADING FOR MID-CAPE HIGHWAY. 14:20 hrs - The FIRE JUMPED ROUTE 6 with Many Trucks on the road. 14:40 hrs - Orders made for ALL PUMPS and TANKERS to ROUTE 6A SANDWICH VILLAGE 15:30 hrs - The fire is FINALLY STOPPED at SANDWICH VILLAGE 22:30 hrs - Apparatus Released from Mutual Aid The fire burned several thousand Acres of forest in about 2:45 hours. The blackened area was visible from Route 6 for years until new growth filled in. It came very close to burning right into the most congested and historic part of Sandwich. Photos and information on the fire came from several sources including Dennis Newman and Gordon Peters.
The May 1, 1965 fire burning rapidly northward towards Sandwich.
Looking over the Canal towards Sandwich from Bourne
The fire easily jumped several of the natural breaks and roads within the heavily wooded forest.
Otis Brush Breakers attempt to catch up with the fire.
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| 2 - FIRE
JUMPS ROUTE 6 |
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The rapidly moving fire was headed for Route 6. |
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Flames a hundred feet high as the fire approaches Route 6.
Otis Brush Breaker 14 on Route 6 prepares to take on the fire.
Pumpers from several towns took a stand on Route 6 with only their tank water to work with.
The fire JUMPED ROUTE 6.
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| 3 - THE
AFTERMATH OF THE FIRE |
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The fire jumped Route 6 near the Bourne / Sandwich Town Line. |
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It is believed this is the area of origin near Forestdale - Pocasset Road.
Looking South over Route 6A Main Street towards the blackened Shawme Crowell State Forest where the fire was finally stopped.
On the ground post fire survey shows the amount of damage to the forest land.
Under the best of conditions the area would be difficult to transit even with a brush breaker. Large boulders, steep hills, and difficult terrain makes firefighting very difficult.
State patrol truck on the fire road.
State Patrol 4 on Route 6 about where fire jumped.
The right flank where the fire crossed Route 6.
Fire burned the forest right behind this building believed to be within Shawme Crowell. |
CAPE COD BRUSH BREAKERS 
