Elevated Fire Weather Continues; No Relief Expected in Days Ahead
BOSTON — Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey today joined Massachusetts fire service leaders asking residents to refrain from any outdoor activity that could cause or contribute to brush and wildland 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,” said Governor Healey. “I especially want to thank the firefighters who have been battling these fires, very often for days at a time and across the state from their homes and families. We have seen truly remarkable efforts from our fire service. Let’s support them by using caution and common sense out there.”
“This situation requires all of us to make safe, responsible choices,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The scope of these fires and the tireless efforts of our fire service underscore the serious risks posed by the current conditions. By taking simple steps—like postponing outdoor fires and using caution with equipment—we can support our firefighters, help prevent further strain on our resources and protect our communities.”
“Massachusetts’ Statewide Fire Mobilization Plan has been activated more than a dozen times since October 1,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “The Mobilization Plan coordinates the delivery of firefighting resources across Massachusetts to support local departments and mutual aid so that communities aren’t overwhelmed by a large-scale or long-term event.”
The Department of Fire services has been supporting local and regional firefighters with Incident Support Units, which provide mobile communications, conferencing, and mapping capabilities; Rehab units, which support firefighter health and safety on the fireground; drones; and utility terrain vehicles. Local coordinators from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are in contact with public safety officials experiencing large wildfires and are prepared to support needs as they arise. The Massachusetts Air National Guard has repeatedly mobilized helicopters to conduct water drop operations. The Department of Conservation & 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.
Even with coordinated personnel, apparatus, and state agencies lending assistance, however, battling brush and wildland fires is labor-intensive, time-consuming, resource-heavy work. Dead and compromised trees, off-road apparatus, and drought-induced fire behavior all present additional hazards to the firefighters at these scenes.
Citing that ongoing danger to firefighters and residents, the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts yesterday recommended that all local fire chiefs deny any fire-related permit requests and collaborate with local officials to prohibit any recreational fire activity. Fire Chiefs have the authority to prohibit the use of open flames and other ignition sources in hazardous conditions under Section 10.10.2 of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
“Given the current and expected weather conditions, the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts’ Board of Directors strongly recommends that all our members temporarily deny all fire permit requests and work with municipal officials to impose outdoor fire bans in every city and town in Massachusetts at least through Friday, Nov. 8, 2024,” wrote Foxborough Fire Chief Michel Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts. “The number and nature of these incidents pose a grave risk to our personnel and the communities we serve. Beyond the direct hazard posed by an out-of-control wildland fire, every firefighter battling a preventable outdoor fire is a firefighter who cannot respond to an unrelated structure fire, motor vehicle crash, medical call, or other emergency.”
As of last night, 87 brush and wildland fires had been reported in the preceding seven days, burning about 483 acres. This tally includes four new fires reported in the previous 24 hours.
Some of the significant fires include:
- 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
With no precipitation, winds of 5 to 10 mph, fresh leaf litter, and direct sunlight on surface fuels, the outdoor fire risk remains very high today – and because about 45% of Massachusetts homes are in or near wooded areas, any of these fires could put people and property in danger. This is a time to exercise extreme caution with any activity involving sparks, flames, or heat sources outside:
- Remember that open burning is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round.
- Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
- Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. Hot engines, sparks, and spilled gasoline can ignite dry leaves and grass.
- Dispose of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in a metal can, douse them with water, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles long after the fire goes out: never dump them outdoors or in the trash.
- Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. 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.
Motorists may encounter moderate to heavy smoke near some of the bigger fires and should exercise caution in the event of limited visibility. Poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke can also make allergies worse and cause respiratory infections especially for people with heart disease, asthma, and other lung diseases. The Department of Public Health has posted a fact sheet with helpful information.
