E/a Bonfire Awaits Approval from Exeter Fire Department

Due to recent rain, the Exeter Fire Department (EFD) has lifted its fire ban on the Town of Exeter and resumed issuing fire permits. Though the ongoing drought in southern New Hampshire had seemingly dissolved all chances of holding the traditional bonfire at this year’s Fall Exeter/Andover (E/a) Pep Rally, the recent improvement in conditions now means that, by all foreseeable measures, the beloved bonfire will most likely be taking place this Friday as originally planned.Environmental Health and Safety Manager Tegan Vassillion has worked with the EFD to monitor weather conditions and secure a permit so that the Academy can hold the bonfire. Because bonfires are significantly larger than most regular fires such as backyard fire pits, the EFD does not issue seasonal permits for them but, rather, individual 24-hour permits. Furthermore, the permit cannot be obtained until the day of the bonfire, so there is no guarantee that a permit will be granted until Friday. “Traditionally we call Exeter Fire Department first thing in the morning to ask for a permit,” Vassillion explained. “Exeter Fire normally arrives around noon to look at where the bonfire will be and how the bonfire was built,” she said. If all weather conditions are ideal, the EFD issues the permit. “I think that there is a good possibility that the bonfire will happen,” she said.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic that there may now be a bonfire.”

Vassillion has already informed the EFD that the bonfire is scheduled to take place this Friday. Members of the EFD will be coming to campus several days before the fire to view the area where it will be held and decide whether or not to issue a special duty for an engine to be on-site during the Pep Rally. The EFD will then follow the same procedure for issuing the daily permit on Friday.Since the traditional location of the bonfire is currently under construction, it will most likely be moved to the Day Fields across the bridge. According to Vassillion, the bonfire will also be smaller and less robust this year since the school does not have as much wood, pallets and junk furniture stored up as it has had in the past. Nevertheless, Vassillion confirmed that “it will still be a great fire.”Though many students expressed disappointment at the initial news of the bonfire being cancelled, the new possibility of having it this Friday has restored much of their excitement and school spirit. Senior Alex Rothstein declared, “I’m absolutely ecstatic that there may now be a bonfire.” After thinking that her last E/a pep rally as a student at Exeter would be without the bonfire, the recent news came as a happy surprise to her. “The fact that I will now again share this memory of the bonfire with my friends and others makes me so excited,” she said.Seniors Bonnie LaBonté and Graham Rutledge also expressed gratitude that the cherished tradition would probably continue for their final year.“The bonfire will be good for tradition,” Rutledge said, and he explained that he was “super excited.” “I love fire,” he added. Likewise, LaBonté said, “I’m excited to see the traditional continued.” Though she does not have “a great  emotional attachment to it [the bonfire],” she felt glad that others will get the same E/a experience that she has had.Upper Alex Renaud described the bonfire as “a real boost for school spirit.” He did not think that the change in location or size would have a significant effect, as long as people still attended. “I’m excited to just be there with the school as we all get excited to support Exeter,” he said.Similarly, Rothstein was not upset that the bonfire would be smaller and in a different place. “I just feel extremely lucky that we will have it in general,” she explained. For Rothstein, the “warmth and spirit” of the bonfire are the most exciting parts. “No matter what the scores are on Saturday, I am extremely pumped to support my school and wear the color red for Exeter,” she said.