BOSTON — Emergency responders in Massachusetts are engaged in ongoing efforts to suppress persistent brush fires throughout the state, while officials advise residents to adopt safety measures to prevent igniting new fires.
In recent weeks, hundreds of acres in the greater Boston vicinity have been scorched, with fresh fires emerging in the western and central regions of the state.
Typically, Massachusetts records an average of 15 wildland fires each October. However, this year has seen an alarming rise, with the latest total nearing 200, marking a staggering 1,200% increase compared to the norm, similar to what is typically observed during the early spring fire season.
Over the last week of October alone, approximately 100 fires were reported, with preliminary data indicating that all of them were ignited due to human actions, according to fire officials. Consequently, this situation led some local jurisdictions to suspend school sessions and cancel Halloween festivities.
On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a “red flag” warning for a significant portion of eastern Massachusetts, indicating that the area is experiencing heightened fire risks due to ongoing dry and warm conditions.
Fire authorities have reiterated that open burning is banned across the state until January, and in certain communities, the ban is in effect year-round. They have also advised against outdoor cooking and the use of heating devices while emphasizing caution with power tools, such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers, which can generate enough heat to ignite dry foliage.
Officials further cautioned against disposing of cigarette butts, matches, and other smoking materials carelessly, warning not to toss them over balconies or leave them in dry areas that could easily catch fire.
In a related incident on Saturday, a man from Boston was arrested for his involvement in a brush fire in Milford, located about 40 miles west of Boston. He faces charges for setting fire to another person’s property as well as damaging land, trees, lumber, and crops.
According to Chief Fire Warden David Celino from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, more than a quarter of the state’s brush and wildland fires this year occurred in October. These incidents alone have accounted for over half of the 1,158 acres that have burned in 2023.
Celino stated in a press release, “The weather conditions and dry surface fuels that have contributed to these fast-moving fires are expected to continue in the days ahead. Any outdoor fire will grow quickly, become challenging to manage, and require extensive firefighting resources.”
Additionally, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine noted that nearly 45% of homes in Massachusetts are situated in or adjacent to forested areas that pose risks for brush and wildland fires. He remarked that many of these incidents are instigated by activities near residential properties, such as outdoor cooking and operating lawn equipment.