NAHANT — The Fire and Public Works departments are working together to remove “ground fuel” from the Bailey’s Hill area near Trimountain Road. The removal effort has been made possible by a $20,000 grant from the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Fire Chief Austin Antrim described ground fuel as things such as downed trees, tree limbs, and brushwood that could increase the risk of a fire. He alluded to a conflagration that took place in the Bass Point neighborhood nearly a century ago, saying he hopes this project will minimize the risk of something similar occurring again.
“The fire began toward the bottom of Trimountain Road,” Antrim said. “It burnt down almost that entire neighborhood.”
The grant is offered through the IAFC’s partnership with the United States Forest Service. Nahant also received a local match of $5,000, which Antrim said can be used to fund the labor required to carry out the removal.
“We thought it was sort of a long shot getting the grant,” Antrim said. “It should go a long way to help protecting the neighborhood from fires that could potentially spread from (Bailey’s Hill) over to the homes.”
Antrim credited DPW Superintendent Zach Taylor for his contributions to the project. He estimated the work will be completed by the end of the month.
“I’ve been very pleased with the progress,” Antrim said.
