--- title: "When the Fire Trucks Came Up the Hill: A Lesson in Backyard Fires and Southern Charm" description: Deer and Wildlife Fence has graduated horizontal wires that keep predators out of orchards, vineyards, and gardens. Galvanized wire stops corrosion. image: https://www.louispage.com/hs-fs/file-331035808-jpg/images/deer_orchard_fence_-_lg-resized-600.jpg --- Serving USA & Canada | [978‑486‑3116](tel:9784863116) | Current pricing valid through **October 1, 2024** due to ongoing tariff and vendor rate changes. Order now to lock in current rates before the next update. [![Louis E.Page](https://www.louispage.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LouisE.PageLogo1%20FINAL.jpg?width=1800&height=515&name=LouisE.PageLogo1%20FINAL.jpg "Louis E.Page")](https://www.louispage.com) Call our team at Louis Page: 978-486-3116 | [Free Quote](https://www.louispage.com/free-fence-quote) **Browse Fence Products** ** # The Fence Post ## When the Fire Trucks Came Up the Hill: A Lesson in Backyard Fires and Southern Charm May 24, 2026 | by [Duncan Page](https://www.louispage.com/blog/author/duncan-page) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![ChatGPT Image May 22, 2026, 10_02_22 PM](https://www.louispage.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ChatGPT%20Image%20May%2022%2c%202026%2c%2010_02_22%20PM.png?width=1024&height=1536&name=ChatGPT%20Image%20May%2022%2c%202026%2c%2010_02_22%20PM.png) When the Fire Trucks Came Up the Hill: A Lesson in Backyard Fires and Southern Charm It all started with a simple question from my 16-year-old son. We had just moved from Georgia to our new home in Exeter, New Hampshire, and he asked if he could burn the brush he’d cut down. “Sure, honey, that’s fine,” I answered. And didn’t give it another thought. Until. The Chicken Incident I was babysitting for Gavin, the three-year-old neighbor, and we were busy weeding the front flower garden. Dinner time was approaching, so we went inside to put the chicken in the oven. Market Basket had a special on chicken legs, and I’d bought a ten-pound bag. As I cut open the bag, the stench escaped. Oh, my gosh! Ten pounds of spoiled chicken. What do you do with ten pounds of rotten chicken? I’ll toss the whole thing on the fire. We walked out the back door to the roaring fire and threw the chicken on top. Then, back out to the front yard to dig in the dirt. The Sirens and the Fire Chief It was a hot, sweaty kind of day. Barefoot and dirty, we continued to weed. Then we heard sirens, and Gavin became hysterical! He was terrified of sirens. I assured him they weren’t coming here, and then they stopped, so he calmed down. Then I heard the powerful engines and knew they were coming up the hill. I ran into the house, caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and saw my dirty, sweaty face. Out the back door and onto the deck, I spotted a bucket full of water. I picked it up and yelled to David, “Throw this on the fire! The fire trucks are coming!” I ran back into the house with a crying Gavin on my hip. And I waited. Before long, the fireman appeared at the door and asked if I knew I had a fire in my backyard. “Yes,” I replied. “Who started the fire?” he asked. “My son,” I answered. “How old is he?” “16.” “The fire chief wants to talk to you.” The Hillbilly Moment Let me set the scene a bit more. I was barefoot, sweaty, with dirt on my face and hands, and a screaming three-year-old on my hip! Oh, and the neighbor had removed the stairs to the front porch as he was building new stairs! My license tag was still a Georgia plate. We must have looked and sounded like hillbillies to these New England guys! The fire chief asked if I knew having a fire without a permit in Exeter was illegal. “No,” I answered. He then proceeded to state the various requirements for having a backyard fire. Here’s the best part of all: “Ma’am,” he continued. “You can burn brush, or you can cook food outside, but you can’t burn brush and cook on the same fire.” Oh my gosh! He actually thought I was cooking those chicken legs on a brush fire! How I wish that I had a bucket full of barbecue sauce and a mop and could have said, “Here! Take this mop and go slosh those chicken legs with this here barbecue sauce!” It was all I could do to keep from dying laughing! Those Southern hillbillies! The Aftermath Later that evening, David informed me that the bucket of water he threw on the fire had a frog in it. Did the fire chief think I was cooking frog legs as well?? All of this took place before I met Duncan. I met him two years later, and he loved this story! If he were cooking chicken on a brush fire, he would have put down a piece of hardware cloth to cook it on! A Word on Hardware Cloth Speaking of which, hardware cloth is such a helpful product. It’s available in galvanized, vinyl-coated, and stainless steel. Whether you’re securing a garden, protecting your property, or just keeping things in order, it’s a versatile solution for durability and peace of mind. Check out our hardware cloth options at Louis E. Page Inc. Warmest regards, Debbie Page CEO, Louis E. Page Inc. – Woman-owned business and family-owned since 1893.   Topics: [deer fence](https://www.louispage.com/blog/topic/deer-fence), [galvanized](https://www.louispage.com/blog/topic/galvanized), [fixed knot](https://www.louispage.com/blog/topic/fixed-knot), [deer and wildlife fence](https://www.louispage.com/blog/topic/deer-and-wildlife-fence) ### Help is Always Available ### Choose the best fence solution for your needs at the best price [ CUSTOM QUOTES **](https://louispage.com/free-fence-quote/) No minimum order required Farms & Fields | Homes & Gardens | Parks & Public Spaces | Construction Sites *Serving America's Fencing Needs Since 1893* [![Request Your Quote Now. 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For three generations we've been dedicated to serving the needs of our customers. Our goal is to give you prompt and informative service at fair prices. Since 1893, we've taken great pride in our commitment to be a one-source distributor specializing in mesh and fencing. We keep an extensive inventory and we can special order items from many different mills. Let us help you find what you need. Susan Chevalier Nova Scotia Thank you so much for your prompt and explaining emails and phone calls. I am very happy with the order and follow through. You are very much on top of your game and the service is beyond excellent. Eric Pilkington The Austerlitz Club - NY Thank you for your outstanding service and delivery time! I place orders all over the country, and sometimes it takes three or four days just to get products ready for shipment. NOT AT LOUIS E. PAGE. You guys are on it. Connie & Ben Houlihan Houlihan Fence - St Louis. MO Congratulations on this milestone! When our clients request mesh or welded wire, you are our go-to source! Thanks for being a leader in the industry & one we can reliably count on! David Maine Landcrafters - ME Thank you, we received the fence and appreciate the good service from Louis Page. We will call next time we need fence! Gary L Hall NY I have been dealing with Louis E. Page, Inc. for over 20 years. I build shooting preserves. We will be purchasing all of the Bird Pen materials from you. I just want to thank you for the years of great service. Your products are all High Quality and you always have what I need to complete my projects. ### Get in Touch ** 1 Main St Whitinsville, MA 01588 (Limited pickup in Whitinsville) ** 978-486-3116 ** 8:30 to 4:30 (EST) Mon through Fri ** [sales@louispage.com](mailto:sales@louispage.com) ** [Shipping Information](https://www.louispage.com/shipping-information) [Accept Credit Card Payments](http://www.authorize.net/) [![Click for the BBB Business Review of this Fence Material in Sterling MA](https://seal-central-westernma.bbb.org/seals/blue-seal-153-100-louisepageinc-221537.png)](https://www.bbb.org/central-western-massachusetts/business-reviews/fence-material/louis-e-page-in-sterling-ma-221537#sealclick) Copyright [Louis E Page, Inc.](https://www.louispage.com) | All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.louispage.com/privacy-policy) | [Sample Policy](https://www.louispage.com/free-sample-request) | [Image Disclaimer](https://www.louispage.com/image-disclaimer) * Website prices reflect the prices from our default vendors. Occasionally we are unable to obtain the wire from these vendors; substitutions may be available and may result in a higher price. We will inform you of any price difference if this occurs. Prices are subject to change based on current vendor availability and current price of steel. If this occurs we will inform you of any price difference before processing your order. 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