The Bay State is facing an unprecedented spike in outdoor fires, as 100 brush and wildland blazes have been reported in the last week as officials urge residents to use caution.
Massachusetts had a total of about 200 reported wildland fires in October — a 1,200% spike from the average of 15 reported wildland fires each October.
Of these fires, 100 were reported over the last seven days, and local fire officials believe that all of them started with human activity. There were still several fires considered active, officials reported on Friday.
“The weather conditions and dry surface fuels that have contributed to these fast-moving fires are expected to continue in the days ahead,” Chief Fire Warden David Celino of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation said in a statement.
“Any outdoor fire will grow quickly, become difficult to control, and require numerous firefighting resources,” Celino added.
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services reported that these significant fires were still considered active: Cain Hill Fire in Salem/Lynn; Middleton Pond Fire in Middleton; Pappas Fire in Canton; Wolcott Hill/Blue Hills Reservation; Curry 24 Fire in Devens; Maple Meadow Fire in Wilmington; Mt. Laurel Fire in Holden; Trader’s Way Fire in Salem; and Old Forest Road Fire in North Andover.
“About 45% of Massachusetts homes are in or near wooded areas at risk for brush and wildland fires,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “In the current fire weather environment, any significant fire could put people and property in danger. In fact, many of them have started with activity around the house, like outdoor cooking and using lawn tractors and other power equipment.”
Residents are being urged to refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
People should never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris.
“Battling wildland fires is labor-intensive, time-consuming, resource-heavy work for our firefighters,” added Foxboro Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts. “Dead and compromised trees, off-road apparatus, and drought-induced fire behavior all pose a heightened level of danger to our personnel. We’re asking all our residents to help us help them by refraining from any activity that could involve sparks, flames, and heat sources outdoors.”
The Massachusetts Air National Guard has repeatedly mobilized helicopters to conduct water drop operations in Salem and Middleton.
The Department of Fire Services has sent drone units, all-terrain vehicles, and firefighter rehab units to support incident commanders and fireground personnel.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry is assisting local fire departments with monitoring all active incidents, DCR fire towers are on full alert, and a temporary ban has been implemented on all open flame and charcoal fires at Massachusetts state parks.
