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‘Very uncomfortable and debilitating’: Readers share Eastern Mass. brush fires impact
“We own a shop and run walking tours of Salem. The smoke has made it difficult for our guides and guests,” one respondent said.
Large brush fires engulfed several areas across Eastern Massachusetts on Monday and over the weekend, leaving many Boston.com readers worried and feeling the effects of the blaze.
According to the state Department of Fire Services, 18 active brush fires were reported in the last 24 hours as of Monday, and 47 since the start of the weekend. The brush fires have consumed more than 100 acres in Salem, according to the National Weather Service.
Firefighter crews in Middleton and Salem pulled out of the woods on Monday evening after battling the fires, the Northeastern Massachusetts Emergency Alerts said on Facebook. A brush task force was also deployed for the fire in Salem, which included helicopter water drops, MEMA assets, and support from firefighting crews across the state, the agency added.
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Even though crews made “some headway” containing the fires and minimizing spread, the fires are expected to span multiple days, the Northeastern Massachusetts Emergency Alerts said in a Facebook post later Monday evening.
“This whole thing is far from over. Brush fires, unlike structure fires, are often a marathon and not a sprint,” the agency said.
When we asked Boston.com readers if they were impacted by the brush fires, many readers across the North Shore and Greater Boston said they smelled smoke from the fires on Monday morning.
“I woke up with a strong smell in the house [Monday] morning. I was afraid that my old furnace was overheating on the first really cold morning of the season. Then I realized the smell was worse outside,” reader Michael L. from Brighton said.
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Daisy from Dorchester said she could smell the smoke from the UMass Boston campus, calling it “intense” and said the smoke “smells like burnt rubber and is almost suffocating.”
Others described having an asthma flare up as a result of the smoke, and feeling a burning or stinging sensation in their eyes and throat.
Below, readers near the Eastern Massachusetts brush fires describe how they were impacted.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
How have you been impacted by the Eastern Mass. brush fires?
“We own a shop and run walking tours of Salem … The smoke has made it difficult for our guides and guests, especially in the evening yesterday when there was little wind and it settled into the downtown area. We provided masks for our guests for their comfort. People have been posting all over social media asking if they should avoid Salem for Halloween because of the fires, even though they are nowhere near downtown. We have had several people call us to ask if the tours are canceled because of it.” – Laura F., Salem
“Very uncomfortable and debilitating and potentially dangerous for young and old. Can’t recall more noxious effects from a brush fire.” – Mark, Salem
“My 3-year-old son keeps exclaiming ‘Oh no, a fire!’ just from smelling it. He woke up [Monday] morning with quite the cough. This seems to be an annual occurrence for the Salem/Lynn area, but this has been a particularly dry fall!” – Alicia, Salem
“I was driving on I-95 in the Georgetown/Topsfield area and the smoke was very strong – like a heavy campfire smell in the air that left the inside of my car smoky. It was stinging to the eyes and throat.” – Marianne, North of Boston
“I live a couple towns over. When I walked outside this morning it seemed like it was cloudy enough to rain, but the thick smoke blocked out the sun and created a curtain of gray. It smelled like a big bonfire, and not in a good way.” – Susan W., Burlington
“Canceled our kids outdoor recess due to smoke inhalation concerns.” – Dave L., Melrose
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