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Live updates: Brush fires burn across Mass.
A wildfire burned more than 100 acres in Salem, and other smaller blazes have popped up throughout Massachusetts in recent days.
Multiple brush fires continued to cloud the skies of Eastern Massachusetts with smoke early this week, as officials warned residents to be careful.
Follow below for regular updates on the situation.
As drought worsens and fires continue, Healey speaks out on safety (Nov. 5)
As an unprecedented number of wildfires burn across the state, Gov. Maura Healey joined fire officials to urge residents to refrain from outdoor activities with the potential to cause or contribute to the fires.
“As we confront an unprecedented fall fire season, I’m asking all our residents to protect themselves, their neighbors, and their communities by refraining from any outdoor activities that involve open flames, sparks and embers, or other heat sources,” Healey said in a statement Monday. “We have seen truly remarkable efforts from our fire service. Let’s support them by using caution and common sense out there.”
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In Middleton, firefighters have been working on extinguishing a fire — which has produced “excessive smoke” and caused an increased risk of falling trees — for days, according to the department. Authorities said the area will continue to produce smoke until there is “significant rainfall.”
The Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts recommended Sunday that all local fire chiefs deny any fire-related permit requests and work with local officials to prevent recreational fire activity, Healey’s statement said.
Outdoor fire bans will be imposed in every city and town in Massachusetts until at least Nov. 8, Foxborough Fire Chief Michel Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, wrote in the statement.
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The risk of outdoor fires remained “very high” on Monday, due to winds and a lack of precipitation, and authorities warned that the fires could put people and their property in danger. Forty-five percent of Massachusetts homes are in or near wooded areas, according to the statement.
As of Sunday night, 87 brush and wildland fires were reported to have burned about 483 acres in the preceding seven days, the statement said, with four additional fires reported in the days after.
Significant fires:
- Cain Hill (Salem/Lynn): 140 acres, 50% contained
- Middleton Pond (Middleton): 188 acres, 70% contained
- Pappas (Canton): 33 acres, 90% contained
- Wolcott Hill / Blue Hills Reservation (Milton): 4 acres, 70% contained
- Curry 24 (Devens): 100 acres, 99% contained
- Maple Meadow (Wilmington): 10 acres, 70% contained
- Mt. Laurel (Holden): 6 acres, 95% contained
- Traders Way (Salem): 15 acres, 50% contained
- Old Forest Road (North Andover): 5 acres, 50% contained
- Bradway (Monson): 44 acres, 90% contained
- Castle Rock (Saugus): 22 acres, 80% contained
- Pond South (Middleton): 4 acres, 60% contained
- Fitzgerald (Northampton): 55 acres, 85% contained
- Moose Meadow (Montgomery): 60 acres, 20% contained
- Howe (Spencer): 9 acres, 80% contained
Drought conditions worsen in Mass. as another Red Flag Warning is issued (Nov. 1)
Despite knocking down a series of brush fires earlier this week, officials are still bracing for dangerous conditions that could lead to more fires as November begins.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning that applies to counties across Massachusetts Friday. These warnings are issued when warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds combine to produce a heightened risk of wildfires. Any fires that start may spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish, officials are saying.
At the same time, drought conditions are worsening in parts of the state, according to a new map released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Large swaths of Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex counties, as well as all of Suffolk County, are now experiencing severe drought. Brush fires have been particularly widespread and stubborn on the North Shore.
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In total, 13.6 percent of the state is in a severe drought this week. There were no areas experiencing severe drought last week. Almost all of Central and Western Massachusetts are in a moderate drought.
Air quality levels dipped Friday in parts of Eastern Massachusetts, according to AirNow, a service from the EPA. The air quality was listed as “moderate” from Brockton up to Weymouth, Boston, Lynn, and Swampscott.
Despite some light rain earlier this week, more precipitation is needed to pull Massachusetts out of these conditions. Boston has only recorded 2.3 inches of rain since Sept. 1, causing this to be the second-driest fall to date, according to The Boston Globe. “Local stream flows are running at only 5-15% of normal,” NWS meteorologist Andrew Loconto told the paper.
Experts are doubtful that there will be enough precipitation to restore conditions to normal anytime soon.
“There will be opportunities for precipitation over the next couple of weeks, but not enough to get us out of the hole,” NOAA meteorologist Adam Allgood told the Globe.
Salem Halloween revelers will be smelling smoke (Oct. 31)
As crowds descend on Salem Thursday for Halloween celebrations, revelers could still be feeling the effects of brush fires that burned through hundreds of acres of land in Massachusetts this week.
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Windy and unseasonably warm conditions caused fires in numerous North Shore communities, prompting a major collaborative effort between various fire departments, state agencies, and the National Guard. Salem was one of the most heavily impacted locations, as more than 170 acres burned there alone. High school students were let out of school early on Tuesday, and the fires were mostly extinguished by Thursday.
However, smoke is still lingering, and officials are monitoring the situation to prevent flare ups. Temperatures are expected to reach 75 degrees in Salem. The Salem Fire Department couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
The air quality in multiple Salem locations was rated “moderate” Thursday morning by the EPA’s AirNow service. People that are unusually sensitive to dips in air quality should consider reducing the amount of time they spend outdoors, officials said.
Large crowds are still expected in Salem for the holiday. Many streets will be closed, live music begins at noon, and a fireworks show is scheduled for 10 p.m. Specific details can be found on the city’s online tourism hub.
Rain and water drops improve conditions; fires still smolder in Salem and elsewhere (Oct. 30)
Although brush fires continued to burn throughout parts of Massachusetts Tuesday evening and into Wednesday, air conditions are improving and crews are making progress containing the flames.
One of the state’s largest fires burned through more than 170 acres in Salem before officials said it was mostly extinguished. The city said Wednesday morning that some overnight rain helped decrease the intensity of the fires near Spring Pond and Traders Way. Those areas are still smoldering, however, and more smoke was expected. Officials are anticipating likely flare ups Wednesday due to the warm weather and wind. Fire personnel will continue to “maintain a line” and keep the fires contained.
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Halloween Day on Thursday is set to be one of the warmest on record throughout New England, potentially making conditions more dangerous for residents and firefighters.
Salem officials said that inaccurate rumors were spreading on social media about two other brush fires. There are only two fires in Salem: between Spring Pond and Highland Avenue and near Traders Way, on the other side of Highland Avenue. Other fires in nearby towns could be contributing to the smoky conditions in Salem.
There are no major changes expected to impact Halloween celebrations and events in Salem, Mayor Dominick Pangallo told WHDH. Salem High School was dismissed early on Tuesday.
Another major fire burned in Middleton, consuming at least 168 acres. Crews worked throughout Tuesday, focusing on “wetting down” the perimeter of the blaze, fire officials said. National Guard helicopters were used to conduct water drops there. “Significant progress” was made Tuesday, but large hot spots remained and smoke persisted throughout the evening.
In Canton, firefighters contained a brush fire Tuesday with the help of the National Guard. Crews were set up in a clearing near Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. National Guard helicopters were initially needed more urgently in Salem but eventually contributed to the firefighting efforts in Canton as well. Officials told Boston 25 News that the fire there burned through 32 acres before being fully contained.
Crews were also working diligently in Saugus to contain a fire near the Cedar Glen Golf Course. The course was closed Wednesday but is expected to reopen Thursday. Officials told WCVB that the course was running its lawn sprinklers to help fight the fire, and the edges of the fairways were soaked to help contain the flames.
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Air quality is improving. Officials had assessed the air around Lynn, Saugus, Swampscott, and Salem to be “very unhealthy.” Air quality had uniformly improved to healthy levels throughout Eastern Massachusetts Wednesday morning, according to a partnership of government agencies known as AirNow. The only exception was Haverhill, where the air quality was listed as “moderate.”
Major Salem fire mostly extinguished; more than 170 acres have burned (Oct. 29)
The Salem brush fire between Spring Pond and Highland Avenue is 95 percent contained and extinguished, officials said Tuesday afternoon.
A statement from the city said 172 acres of land have burned in the fire. Authorities said some hotspots in the area continue to smolder, causing smoke on Highland Avenue.
The Traders Way Fire, on the other side of Highland Avenue, has been partially extinguished as of Tuesday afternoon, officials said. Authorities warned residents that residual smoke will likely spread throughout the night as firefighters attempt to fully extinguish the blaze.
Salem officials said the Traders Way fire may flare up again on Wednesday due to dry conditions and warm temperatures.
“The area is being monitored through the night and into tomorrow by the Salem Fire Department,” the statement said. “Residents in the immediate vicinity are encouraged to remain vigilant and call 911 if they see flames.”
Authorities said the department has also responded to a new fire in Salem Woods, between First Street and the nearby golf course. No structures are at risk, and officials warned nearby residents to avoid outdoor activity and shut their windows.
There are no plans to cancel or delay school at Salem High School and the Horace Mann Laboratory School for Wednesday, but authorities said that could change due to wind direction. If delays or cancellations do occur, Salem Public Schools will notify parents.
Salem High School dismisses early Tuesday over wildfire smoke (Oct. 29)
Students at Salem High School were dismissed early on Tuesday due to “elevated smoke levels” caused by the brush fires, Salem Public Schools said in a social media post.
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SHS dismissed students at 11:30 a.m.; the district said there would be school buses available to take students home. Students at the nearby Horace Mann Laboratory School were relocated to Witchcraft Heights Elementary School around 12:15 p.m, the district said.
“There is no danger related to the fire itself, the impact is from the smoke,” officials said.
The post instructed parents of HMLS students to pick them up at WHES at 1:50, the normal dismissal time. Some school programs at HMLS were canceled for the day, and the post said others would be relocated to WHES.
As of 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Salem is still under a weather advisory from the National Weather Service, saying that dry conditions in the area make wildfire growth “favorable.”
Helicopter water drops continue; air quality remains poor on North Shore (Oct. 29)
Firefighters continued battling extensive brush fires around Massachusetts Monday evening and Tuesday. There were 47 active brush fires reported statewide, officials said Monday afternoon. This included 18 that were reported in a 24-hour span.
Some of the largest blazes were posing dangers near Salem and Middleton. On Sunday night, the Middleton Fire Department said that a fire there had a size of about 50 acres. Crews worked through “rugged terrain” in the areas of Upton Hills Lane and Middleton Pond Monday, and National Guard helicopters assisted crews on the ground by conducting water drops over the flames. Even still, the Middleton fire was consuming at least 250 acres Monday night. Residents were told to be prepared to see and smell more smoke.
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Both the Middleton and Salem fires were expected to last multiple days, requiring a continued mutual aid response, according to a public safety update posted to Facebook and promoted by Salem Firefighters Local 172. Middleton Fire Chief Douglas LeColst told NBC10 Boston that rain will eventually be needed to extinguish the fires entirely.
“There’s going to be smoke in the area for a considerable amount of time until we get some good rainfall. That’s what we need,” he told the station.
In Canton, firefighters said they were hoping to extinguish a 31-acre brush fire near Reservoir Pond. Most of the fire was put out by late Monday night, but some “hotspots” remained in remote areas. No homes or businesses were in danger, and the fire was considered to be “under control.”
More water drops were planned for Tuesday in Canton and elsewhere. A Boston 25 News reporter shared video of a water drop operation in Middleton.
Air quality was affected around the region, particularly on the North Shore and near the New Hampshire border. The worst air quality was found in Lynn, according to an interactive online map published by the Environmental Protection Agency. The air there was considered “very unhealthy,” and members of the public were told to limit or avoid outdoor physical activity. Similar air quality levels were reported in Saugus, Swampscott, and Salem.
Residents throughout Massachusetts are being told to avoid using fire pits, grills, and any other outdoor source of heat. Even lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and all-terrain vehicles should be used with caution, as their engines can become hot enough to ignite dry vegetation. Smoking materials need to be carefully extinguished, and ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves must be doused with water and sealed in tight metal containers.
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“The dry, sunny, breezy weather is great for recreation, but it also means that any outdoor fire will spread quickly and become very difficult to manage,” State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said in a statement. “We’re seeing preventable fires growing to dangerous sizes and drawing numerous resources, locally and regionally.”
Map shows fire locations (Oct. 28)
According to the National Weather Service, small fires have broken out all over Massachusetts during the past few days, and the largest consumed more than 100 acres in Salem.
Officials said early Monday morning that smoke was being “trapped” near the ground, but could disperse later in the day. At around 1 p.m. Monday afternoon, Accuweather’s smoke map showed wildfire smoke over Middleton, North Reading, and Lynnfield. Another concentration of smoke was seen above Salem, Swampscott, and near Nahant.
A detailed look at where there have been fires can be found through an online interactive map published by the National Interagency Fire Center. As of Monday afternoon, it showed more than 50 recent and ongoing fires. Many were concentrated in the southeastern part of the state and along I-90 from Worcester to Springfield.
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