Maine Fire Departments Hold Thousands of Gallons of PFAS Foam

State fire agencies are seeking funding to safely dispose of thousands of gallons of firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Home Cleaning

Screen-print poster illustration of weathered industrial pails stored in a dim, rustic room, representing the management of environmental hazards in Maine. — Maine fire departments are seeking state funding to cover the costs of disposing of over 9,000 gallons of PFAS-laden firefighting foam. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your state government prioritize funding the disposal of toxic firefighting chemicals in your community?

Approximately 120 fire and emergency management departments across Maine currently hold 9,100 gallons of PFAS-laden firefighting foam. Local towns are struggling to fund the hazardous waste disposal process for these legacy stockpiles.

Why it matters

Fire departments originally acquired the foam through federal surplus programs before the health risks of PFAS were understood, and now municipalities cannot afford the high costs of safe removal. State officials are working on legislation to utilize settlement funds to address this environmental and safety concern.

Cleanup for all known municipal stockpiles is estimated to cost under $500,000, while individual towns face disposal fees ranging from $10,000 to $80,000. Additionally, private fuel tank farms in South Portland contain an estimated 10,000 gallons of foam.

The players

Dan Ankeles

He is a State Representative currently drafting a bill to earmark state PFAS settlement money for the collection of aqueous film-forming foam.

Office of the State Fire Marshal

This state agency oversees fire safety and emergency management survey reporting across Maine.

The details

Most of the foam is stored in aging plastic pails or truck tanks in storage closets and back rooms of local fire stations. While the Maine Legislature authorized a voluntary collection program, it did not provide the necessary funding for departments to complete the disposal process.

October 2026: The Office of the State Fire Marshal published survey results regarding foam stockpiles.
2024: A 1,450-gallon foam spill occurred at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station.
Last decade: Maine spent over $100 million on PFAS-related efforts.

Culture Shift

The effort to purge PFAS-laden foam from municipal storage mirrors broader societal movements to mitigate legacy environmental hazards through proactive waste management. This initiative represents a departure from earlier decades when hazardous chemical storage was standard practice at local facilities.

Residents in areas with documented stockpiles, such as Howland, may see increased local discussions regarding safety budgets and hazardous material management. Homeowners and local business owners should stay informed on state-level developments regarding funding for foam collection programs in their specific towns.

The takeaway

Communities holding aging firefighting foam should contact local fire leadership to understand the current storage conditions and safety protocols. Securing state-level funding remains the primary barrier to preventing potential leaks like the one seen in Brunswick.