Waterboro Center in York County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Waterboro: The Forest Fires of 1947
Photographed by Conrad Ward, December 29, 2024
1. Waterboro: The Forest Fires of 1947 Marker
In 1947, the State of Maine suffered its largest forest fire disaster in modern history. The state experienced over 90 consecutive days of record breaking high temperatures with no rain. By mid-October, many small wildfires started and spread out of control. This map indicates the major fires of October 1947 and an enlarged view of the major fires in this part of the state.
Statewide, these fires burned over 220,000 acres, burned 1000 homes, left 2500 people homeless and left 16 people dead. The damages totaled over 11 million dollars at that time. If the same area were burned today, the damages would total approximately 1.1 billion dollars.
Throughout the ages, fire has been one of humanities most useful tools. Unwisely used, it has also been one of humanities greatest threats. People cause over 90% of all escaped forest fires. Please remember the hard lessons of our past and be very careful with any fire!
Erected by Maine Forest Service - Forest Fire Control Division - Southern Region.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.
Location. 43° 35.344′ N, 70° 42.582′ W. Marker is in Waterboro, Maine, in York County. It is in Waterboro Center. It is at
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Waterboro Veterans Memorial Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Alfred Armed Services Memorial (approx. 7.8 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps (approx. 7.8 miles away); York County Courthouse (approx. 7.9 miles away); York County (approx. 7.9 miles away); Old Boynton (approx. 9.9 miles away); Limington Maine Veterans Memorial (approx. 9.9 miles away); Gowen Memorial Park (approx. 10½ miles away).
Photographed by Conrad Ward, December 29, 2024
2. Waterboro: The Forest Fires of 1947 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 493 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
