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Where brush fires are burning in Massachusetts

By
Matt Schooley
Digital Producer, CBS Boston
Matt Schooley is a digital producer at CBS Boston. He has been a member of the WBZ news team for the last decade.
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Matt Schooley

/ CBS Boston

BOSTON – Dry conditions have persisted and with no rain in the immediate forecast, several Massachusetts communities are dealing with significant brush fires.

According to the Department of Fire Services, as of Monday there have been 106 brush and wildland fires reported over the last week. In total, the fires have burned around 600 acres.

Five new fires have been reported since Friday, officials said. 

Massachusetts brush fires

Here is where fires are currently burning in Massachusetts, as of Monday morning:

  • Cain Hill (Salem/Lynn) – 140 acres, 50% contained
  • Middleton Pond (Middleton) – 188 acres, 70% contained
  • Pappas (Canton) – 33 acres, 80% 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 Rd (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

How to prevent brush fires

As fires continue to burn, the Department of Fire Services is asking people to take precautions. Here are their tips for preventing fires:

  • Do not burn leaves. (Open burning is prohibited through January)
  • Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating.
  • Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers and other power equipment as engines can get hot enough to ignite dry leaves.
  • Dump ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in a metal can, douse them with water, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid. 
  • Extinguish smoking materials in an ashtray with water or sand. 

"Unprecedented fall fire season"

Gov. Maura Healey released a statement on Monday, urging people to use caution outdoors amid the outbreak in brush 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. "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." 

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