Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Live updates: Wildfires burn across Mass.
An unprecedented number of wildfires are tearing through hundreds of acres in Massachusetts this fall.
Wildfires continue to burn throughout Massachusetts this week, injuring firefighters and negatively impacting air quality in a range of locations. Many parts of the state are facing severe drought conditions, and officials are bracing for an extended period of hazardous conditions.
Follow along here for regular updates on the situation. See previous updates here.
5 North Shore towns declare state of emergency in wake of wildfires (Nov. 24)
Five North Shore towns have declared a state of emergency due to wildfires that have burned amid an ongoing drought.
The towns of North Reading, North Andover, Danvers, Boxford, and Middleton announced Friday that they had declared a state of emergency. Since the end of October, the towns have endured brush fires that have scorched over 500 acres.
Advertisement:
According to municipal officials in North Reading, a state of emergency can be declared when there is “a present, reasonable and imminent danger to public health, safety or general welfare of residents or their property, and immediate action is needed to prevent, minimize or mitigate damage.”
The wildfires occurred as the northeastern United States experienced an ongoing drought, which was somewhat alleviated by this week’s rain. But even with the welcome precipitation, fire officials are warning of continued wildfire risks.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire state of Massachusetts is at least “abnormally dry,” with 90 percent in a moderate drought. The hardest hit areas include parts of Central Mass, the Greater Boston area, and the North Shore. The drought monitor notes that those areas, which comprise nearly 27% of the state, are in what it deems an “extreme drought.”
Advertisement:
According to Middleton Town Administrator Justin Sultzbach, the declaration allows towns to deficit spend and spread that deficit over a three-year period as needed.
North Shore officials say the emergency declaration also highlights the hazardous impacts caused by brush fires, including smoke impacts, loss of forest stock, the danger of falling trees, and the financial burden on local departments.
“Declaration of this emergency brings further attention to the crisis circumstances we are enduring in our region,” said Matt Coogan, Town Administrator of Boxford. “Every day, firefighters from our entire region are joining us to battle these brushfires.”
Michael Gilleberto, Town Administrator of North Reading, described the recent brush fires as “unprecedented.”
“The past few weeks have required significant resources from fire and other municipal departments, and the leadership of our five towns is working together to support that effort.”
Drought in Mass. now critical, close to emergency status (Nov. 19)
The majority of Massachusetts is now in a “critical” drought, environmental officials said on Tuesday.
Officials from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs placed most of the state under a Level 3 – Critical Drought classification. The Cape and Islands region remains at a Level 0.
“A Level 3 – Critical Drought requires detailed monitoring of drought conditions, continued coordination among state and federal agencies to communicate the implementation of water use restrictions, declaration of bans on open burning, engagement with municipalities including local Boards of Health, providing technical outreach and assistance to water suppliers and affected municipalities,” the statement from the EEA office said.
Advertisement:
Officials pointed to low rainfall as the main source of the drought. They said that most of the state received less than an inch of rain in the past month, which is more than 3 inches less than normal during this time of year.
“About 200 cities and towns have implemented local bans on any outdoor fires under Section 10.10.2 of the State Fire Code,” State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said in the statement. “We’re reminding all residents to follow the state and municipal guidance on fire protection because in the current drought conditions any outdoor fire is likely to catch, spread, and threaten people and property.”
Recommendations from the state for residents and businesses in a Level 3 drought area:
- Officials laid out recommendations for those living in a Level 3 drought area, including reminding residents to check with their local water system in the event that stricture regulations are necessary.
- Minimize overall water use
- Follow state water conservation actions and any local water use restrictions
- Monitor total household water use shown on your water bill for sudden increases, which often indicate leaks. Use the MA Home Water Use Calculator tool to evaluate household water use.
- Fix any toilet or faucet leaks immediately.
- Check for leaks in homes and businesses regularly by checking water meters for constant dial movement, using dye tabs to check for toilet leaks, conducting regular inspections of all pipes and fixtures, including those located in utility rooms, crawlspaces, and other hidden areas
- Use dishwashers rather than handwashing dishes. Run the dishwasher only on a full load
- Aggressively reduce indoor water use by reducing shower length and consider using a shower timer, running washing machines only on a full load, not letting water run while brushing and shaving, replacing old fixtures and appliances with water-efficient ones. Make sure toilets, faucets, and showerheads are WaterSense-labeled
- Stop all non-essential water use
- Be extra cautious with outdoor fires, grills, and flammable materials
Firefighters battle 50-acre brush fire at Blue Hills Reservation (Nov. 19)
A brush fire erupted at Blue Hills Reservation in Milton Monday, requiring mutual aid assistance to combat the flames.
“This is actually pretty scary, to have this size fire here in more of a metropolitan area,” District 4 Fire Warden Karyn Lothrop told NECN.
The brush fire started at 12:30 p.m. Monday, according to Deputy Chief of Milton Fire Stephen King, and crews were in the woods with mutual aid all night.
As of Tuesday, the fire was still active and about 50% contained, King told Boston.com.
Advertisement:
The fire burned through 40 acres as of Monday night, and King said he estimates the number had reached about 50 acres as of Tuesday.
Crews from Stoughton, Sharon, Canton, Avon, Foxborough, Easton, Randolph, and Medway are assisting, with at least 30 firefighters responding to the scene on Tuesday, King said.
Dedham Fire Department sent an engine to help respond to the fire on Monday, and the Canton Fire Department provided a mutual aid tanker for water supply on Tuesday, fire officials told Boston.com.
Due to the fire, the Department of Conservation and Recreation closed Hillside Street, extending from the three-way stop sign at Blue Hill River Road to the intersection of Unquity Road and Chickatawbut Road, just beyond the State Police barracks, officials said. The Houghton’s Pond main lot, along with Lots B and C, are also closed.
The closures will remain in effect overnight Tuesday, the department said.
The brush fire is producing heavy smoke — Braintree Fire Department reported receiving smoke calls “all over town” due to the Milton fire.
“DCR urges the public to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to work safely and to take precautions against smoke,” the the Department of Conservation and Recreation said in a statement.
The department said it will “continue monitoring the site to keep the fire contained and prevent flare-ups, especially given the dry conditions expected this week, which may result in lingering smoke.”
Boxford fire has doubled in size, homes not yet at risk (Nov. 19)
Firefighters in Boxford worked into Monday evening to contain a rapidly growing brush fire in Boxford State Forest, which had doubled in size since erupting on Sunday.
Advertisement:
According to the Boxford Fire Department, crews from Boxford, Middleton, North Andover, State Forestry and other mutual aid companies worked in conjunction to contain the fire.
Accessing the fire remains challenging. Crews are entering the state forest through Sharpners Pond Road, North Andover, North Liberty Street, Middleton, and 100 Middleton Road, Boxford.
As of Monday evening, no homes were at risk, officials said.
The fire department says residents on Townsend Farm Road and Winding Oaks Way may be able to see a glow or flames in the distance.
Fire crews created a fire line deep into the woods to contain the fire. As of 8 p.m. on Monday, those lines were holding.
The fire department asks residents only to call 9-1-1 if a fire is within 100 to 200 feet of a residence. Police are patrolling the area, and fire crews were scheduled to return at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday to continue battling the blaze.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry said the Boxford State Forest fire — which is now roughly 220 acres east of last week’s Old Forest Road fire — was 10% contained on Monday evening.
Mass DCR announced that moderate fire activity continues across the state under elevated fire risk conditions. A red flag warning remains on Tuesday due to gusty winds expected in the morning and early afternoon with potential low humidity.
Here is a list of ongoing active fire incidents as of Monday evening:
- Thomas Road (NEW FIRE): North Andover, Boxford State Forest. 220 acres at 10% contained. It started just before 10 Sunday night and is now 220 acres just east of the Old Forest Road Fire from the previous week — no immediate residential values at risk.
- Houghtons Path (NEW FIRE): Milton, Blue Hills State Reservation. 41 acres at 10% contained. Active fire behavior with running and backing fire. Intermittent wind-driven down slope runs. An indirect strategy with burnout operations is anchoring the perimeter to existing trails and Hillside Road. Smoke impacts the immediate area.
- Mt. Gilead: Lynn, MA. Lynn Woods Reservation. Currently, it is at 440 acres, 50% contained. Smoldering and creeping fire on the interior. Most areas along the perimeter look strong. No growth was reported today.
- Crag Mountain South: Northfield, MA. 5 acres and 85% containment. Local resources continue to patrol and monitor.
- Old Forest Road: North Andover, MA. Located in Boxford State Forest. Estimated at 134 acres and 60% containment. Resources continue to mop up and patrol today. Increase in acres due to more detailed mapping—no growth on fire.
- Cain Hill Fire: Salem and Lynn, MA. 140+ acres and 60% containment. Smoldering interior over most of the fire in heavy surface fuels.
- Middleton Pond: Middleton and North Reading, MA. 242 acres and 60% containment. Creeping and surface fire again today in leaf litter areas that were not burned, and moderate to heavy smoldering on the interior. Continued patrol of perimeter.
- Pappas Fire: Canton, MA. 33 acres and 90% containment. Low smoldering activity in the interior.
- Traders Way: Salem, MA. 15 acres at 85% containment. No new activity. Local FD monitoring
- Bradway: Monson, MA. Located on Bradway Rd. Mapped at 44 acres, 90% Contained. No new information.
- Castle Rock: Saugus, MA., Breakheart State Reservation. Increased acres to 24, 60% contained. Heavy smoldering. Mop-up continues.
- Fitzgerald: Northampton, MA. 55 acres, 85% Contained. Resources continue to patrol and monitor—light smoldering interior.
- Moose Meadow: Montgomery, MA. Sixty acres and 80% contained. Successful mop-up this weekend on interior heat.
- FD05111: Georgetown, MA. Currently 10 acres, estimated 75 % containment. Located in the Georgetown Rowley State Forest. Fire is in Patrol and Monitor status.
- Fern: Saugus, MA. 20 acres at 70% containment. Located on Breakheart Reservation. Smoldering continues on the interior.
- Braintree Brush: Braintree, MA. It is 40 acres and 80% contained. There is a small area of escape today on the southern perimeter. There is heavy smoldering along the line and interior, and smoke generation continues in the interior.
- Pine Hill: Foxborough, MA. Currently, 10 acres and 90% contained. Patrol and monitoring are ongoing.
- Depot: Whately, MA. Estimated 2 acres and 85% contained. Interior smoldering continues. Local and DCR Fire continue to patrol and monitor.
- Rocky Pond: Boylston, MA: 2 acres and 70% contained. In Patrol and mop up—snags and weakened trees inside the perimeter.
- Franklin Well #8: Franklin, MA. 12 acres at 80% contained. Early morning fire with moderate rates of spread. Heavy smoldering and creeping fire behavior. In patrol and mop-up status.
125-acre blaze north of Boston is latest wildfire to plague area (Nov. 18)
Following a similar blaze last week, another fire erupted overnight Sunday in the Boxford State Forest, and crews from across the region were sent to help extinguish it.
Advertisement:
Boxford Fire Chief Brian Geiger says the fire is inside the Boxford State Forest off Sharpners Pond Road in North Andover. The fire is on the Boxford, North Andover, and Middleton town lines.
Geiger said the fire covers about 125 acres, which is approximately the same size as the fire that broke out in the area last week.
The Boxford Fire Department asks residents to stay away from the area to allow public safety officials space to work. The area is not safe due to the smoke, fire, and threat of trees falling.
According to the National Weather Service, prolonged dry weather, high gusts expected across western-central Massachusetts, and minimum humidity combined with dry fallen leaves were all contributing to elevated fire concerns on Monday across the state.
The National Weather Service asks residents to obey fire bans, keep vehicles off dry grass, and exercise extra caution when handling ignition sources.
Across the state, wildfires are still burning, and new ones are popping up every day.
Massachusetts DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry announced Sunday evening that moderate fire activity remains across the state under elevated fire risk conditions, and that two new fires broke out over the weekend.
DCR said an early morning fire in Franklin was the larger of the two new blazes, spreading across 12 acres. Firefighters were able to contain 80% of the fire. However, heavy smoldering and creeping fire behavior remains.
“Ongoing fires continue to be patrolled and monitored, and mop-up continues to strengthen holding lines,” DCR said in a statement. Mop-up involves using tools and water to extinguish hot spots and residual flames to reduce the likelihood of the fire spreading.
Advertisement:
Numerous communities across the state have instituted burn bans, and many local fire departments continue to dispatch for illegal burning calls.
Even though more dry weather is forecast for Monday, there appears to be “strong confidence in a steady rain event for Thursday into Friday of this week,” DCR said.
As of Sunday evening, DCR says 37 fires and 22 acres were burned within the past 24 hours. The state reported 392 fires in November alone, with 769 acres burned. In October, there were 212 fires, and 837 acres were burned.
The number of wildfires in the past two months is unprecedented compared to the monthly averages of 15 and 21, respectively, for October and November.
DCR says that almost all fire activity is caused by humans, but drought conditions increase the potential for lightning-caused fires if thunderstorms are in the area. Numerous fires were traced back to abandoned campfires that were not properly extinguished.
Here is a list of ongoing active fire incidents as of Sunday evening:
- Mt. Gilead: Lynn, MA. Lynn Woods Reservation. Currently, it is at 440 acres, 50% contained. There is a smoldering and creeping fire on the interior. Most areas along the perimeter look strong. No growth was reported as of Sunday.
- Crag Mountain South: Northfield, MA. 5 acres and 85% containment. Local resources continue to patrol and monitor.
- Old Forest Road: North Andover, MA. It is located in Boxford State Forest and is estimated at 134 acres and 60% containment. Resources continue to mop up and patrol. The increase in acres is due to more detailed mapping. There has been no growth on fire.
- Cain Hill Fire: Salem and Lynn, MA. 140+ acres and 60% containment. Smoldering interior over most of the fire in heavy surface fuels.
- Middleton Pond: Middleton and North Reading, MA. 242 acres and 60% containment. Creeping and surface fire again today in leaf litter areas that were not burned, and moderate to heavy smoldering on the interior. Continued patrol of perimeter.
- Pappas Fire: Canton, MA. 33 acres and 90% containment. Low smoldering activity in the interior.
- Traders Way: Salem, MA. 15 acres at 85% containment. No new activity. Local FD monitoring
- Bradway: Monson, MA. Located on Bradway Rd. Mapped at 44 acres, 90% Contained. No new information.
- Castle Rock: Saugus, MA., Breakheart State Reservation. Increased acres to 24, 60% contained. Heavy smoldering. Mop-up continues.
- Fitzgerald: Northampton, MA. 55 acres, 85% Contained. Resources continue to patrol and monitor—light smoldering interior.
- Moose Meadow: Montgomery, MA. 60 acres and 80% contained. Successful mop-up this weekend on interior heat.
- FD05111: Georgetown, MA. Currently, 10 acres, estimated 75 % containment. Located in the Georgetown Rowley State Forest. Fire is in Patrol and Monitor status.
- Fern: Saugus, MA. 20 at 70% containment. Located on Breakheart Reservation. Smoldering continues on the interior.
- Braintree Brush: Braintree, MA. It is 40 acres and 80% contained. There is a small area of escape today on the southern perimeter. There is heavy smoldering along the line and interior, and smoke generation continues in the interior.
- Pine Hill: Foxborough, MA. Currently, 10 acres and 90% contained. Patrol and monitoring are ongoing.
- Depot: Whately, MA. Estimated 2 acres and 85% contained. Interior smoldering continues. Local and DCR Fire continue to patrol and monitor.
- Rocky Pond (NEW FIRE): Boylston, MA: 2 acres and 70% contained. In Patrol and mop up. Snags and weakened trees inside the perimeter.
- Franklin Well #8 (NEW FIRE): Franklin, MA. 12 acres at 80% contained. Early morning fire with moderate rates of spread. Heavy smoldering and creeping fire behavior. In patrol and mop-up status.
Fire risk scuttles popular Thanksgiving bonfire on South Shore (Nov. 17)
Authorities in Hull canceled the town’s annual Thanksgiving bonfire amid “hazardous conditions” and frequent wildfires across the state.
Hull Fire Chief Christopher J. Russo issued a statement canceling the event on Nov. 13, saying the wildfires are having a “local impact.”
“While I recognized that this news will come as a disappointment to many in the community, as Hull’s Fire Chief, decisions in the best interest of public safety must come first and foremost,” Russo said. “This decision is supported by all department leadership who prepare well in advance to manage this event in the safest possible way each and every year.”
Advertisement:
Russo said they plan to reschedule the bonfire when the conditions are “more favorable.”
The yearly bonfire is normally held on the Hull Redevelopment Authority’s property after sunset on Thanksgiving Day, The Hull Times reports. According to the Times, the tradition began in the 1960s to build up school spirit for Hull High School.
“As a resident I believe this annual Thanksgiving Day tradition brings the community together, much like the football game and the gift of friends and family that we celebrate each Thanksgiving, most of which will remain unchanged,” Russo said.
More than two-thirds of state now in severe drought, raising risk of wildfires (Nov. 15)
With dry conditions persisting and rain showers few and far between, more than two-thirds of Massachusetts is now in a severe drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report.
The state’s severe drought area more than doubled between Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, rising from 31.86% to 67.66%, according to the report.
Moderate and severe drought conditions span almost the entire state now, with the exception of Cape Cod, the islands, and the South Coast, an accompanying map shows. Those areas are experiencing abnormally dry conditions — a lower severity.
In all, that means just shy of 5.7 million Bay Staters are living in areas of drought, according to the Drought Monitor. Historically, severe droughts in Massachusetts can mean declining groundwater levels and poorer water quality, fish die-offs, and impacts on crops and trees, among other effects, the report notes.
The worsening drought follows Massachusetts’s second driest October on record since 1895, per the National Integrated Drought Information System.
Advertisement:
The National Weather Service has Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and other parts of southern New England under a red flag warning Friday, cautioning that any fires started could spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish.
“Please, everybody, just use common sense and don’t contribute to creating risks,” Gov. Maura Healey implored residents earlier this week.
Brush fire reported in Brighton on Boston College campus (Nov. 12)
Authorities responded to an apparent brush fire in Brighton on Tuesday, Boston College newspaper The Heights reported.
Boston College authorities told The Heights the fire began around 2:30 p.m. on the west side of the school’s Brighton Campus. Smoke apparently was visible across campus, the report said.
A facilities management worker for BC told The Heights the fire “shouldn’t be anything major.”
The Boston Fire Department did not reply to a request for information.
Fire and rescue are currently responding to an alleged brush fire on Brighton Campus. Story to come. pic.twitter.com/Xjn0xlIfLy
— The Heights (@bcheights) November 12, 2024
Healey urges extreme caution, tells residents to conserve water (Nov. 12)
Gov. Maura Healey told Massachusetts residents to use “common sense” Tuesday, warning that any outdoor flames or sparks could ignite even more wildfires. She also urged residents to conserve water due to persistent drought conditions.
In October, there were more than 200 fires across the state. So far in November, officials have registered at least 192. The figures from last month represented a 1200% increase in the typical number of fires for October. Human activity appears to be responsible for this devastating wave of fires, Healey said at a press conference in Middleton, so residents need to take action to avoid further destruction.
“That just speaks to the severity of this moment, how extreme the situation is, and the incredible work that these men and women have been having to do for days now to work to keep our communities safe,” Healey said.
Advertisement:
People should not burn leaves, and not create any sort of flames outdoors. This includes using charcoal grills. The use of power equipment like lawn tractors should also be avoided, as they can start fires with hot engines or by discharging sparks.
Even where fires are no longer burning, the areas that they impacted should be avoided. Many trees are being weakened by the flames, and could easily fall on people exploring the woods.
Water needs to be conserved. Healey suggested that residents take shorter showers, run the dishwasher less frequently, fix plumbing leaks immediately, and only use washing machines if they are at full capacity.
“Please, everybody, just use common sense and don’t contribute to creating risks,” Healey said.
As of Nov. 7, the state’s northeast and central regions were experiencing “critical” drought conditions. Much of the rest of Massachusetts is experiencing “significant” drought. The only places with normal conditions are Cape Cod and the islands.
While the North Shore has been particularly affected by the fires, they have popped up in many areas around eastern and central Massachusetts. An interactive map available online from the National Interagency Fire Center showed dozens of fires Tuesday. Hundreds of acres have burned statewide, with some of the largest blazes occurring in Middleton, Lynn, Salem, and North Andover.
State and local agencies are working together to contain and eventually extinguish the fires. National Guard helicopters are being deployed to assist with water drops, and firefighters from Maine and New Hampshire are also helping out. Three firefighters in Massachusetts have been injured, officials said.
Advertisement:
The National Weather Service issued another Red Flag Warning Tuesday, meaning that any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly.
“Any fire will spread quickly, and will become very difficult to control. The fire will burn wide and it will burn deep into the ground,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said.
Windy, dry conditions are going to create considerable risk until there is a significant amount of precipitation, or until the temperature drops enough for the ground to frost.
“Every single day now that we go without [precipitation] the situation gets worse,” Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino said.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com