Rain Washing Away Fire Danger In Northern New England

Powerful rainstorms lashing northern New England are washing away fire danger, but the wind and rain also has left thousands in the dark.The heavy rain and winds that gusted near 40 mph were enough to knock out power for thousands in the Central Maine Power service territory.Tom Hawley from the National Weather Service says the rain is giving the region a good soaking, and it'll be followed buy more rain on Thursday, and then again on Monday.He says the rain was heavy enough to help with wildfires in Lincoln, New Hampshire, and in the Grafton Township, Maine, and to recharge groundwater before winter.Before the rain, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates most of northern New England was either in a moderate drought or abnormally dry.