Loudon fire chief warns of drought, says no-burn order possible ahead of NASCAR events

Fire Chief Tom Blanchette told the Loudon Board of Selectmen that several local water sources were low enough that firefighters likely could draw only three to four tanker loads from many ponds and that, without significant rain, some sources could be unusable by the following week.

Blanchette said the department has identified alternate open-water access points and plans to accelerate alarm response if required so mutual-aid assets can arrive sooner. He warned that, if unattended outdoor fires continue amid dry conditions, he may impose a townwide ban on outdoor burning that would include campgrounds and NHMS campground areas tied to the upcoming NASCAR event.

Why it matters: Low water supply reduces the department's capacity to fight structure fires and could require changes to mutual-aid and response plans during the high-attendance race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Blanchette also reviewed equipment and staffing items tied to operational readiness. He said ZOLL Medical completed six-month preventive maintenance on cardiac monitors and ventilators for both ambulances, and a generator vendor started preventive maintenance for Station 1 and Station 2 backups. The department expects delivery of an ambulance ordered about two and a half years ago by the end of the month; state inspection and licensing must follow delivery.

He thanked Lieutenant Rick Billadoux for locating a nearly new, six-foot flammable-liquids cabinet at an auction and obtaining it for $123, noting the cabinet's retail value at about $2,000. Blanchette said the purchase saved the department money and that Billadoux picked it up on his own time.

Blanchette also said staffing and training schedules remain a challenge: one member completed the paramedic program and was sitting for registry testing; several others are mid-course, which requires schedule adjustments to preserve daytime emergency coverage without overspending on overtime.

The chief said the department participated in a tabletop exercise with Homeland Security, state Department of Safety representatives and local partners to rehearse responses for NHMS events and that the exercise revealed areas for procedural improvement.

Blanchette said he has not yet imposed an outdoor burning ban but that the department will if unattended or dangerous fires continue. He invited the public to report burn concerns to the department and said the town would use social media, signs and permit-holder contact information to notify campgrounds and race-related operators if a ban is imposed.

There was no formal vote by the board tied to the chief's recommendations; the chief presented information and the board discussed next steps.

Ending: Blanchette said he hopes rainfall arrives before the weekend but asked residents to heed fire-safety guidance and to report suspicious or unattended fires to the department.