WESTFORD — State and local leaders warn of an elevated fire risk in Massachusetts amid dozens of active brush fires reported across the Commonwealth.
Representatives from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Department of Fire Services and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said that ongoing weather conditions and dry vegetation are prone to ignition.
“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 news release. “We’re seeing preventable fires growing to dangerous sizes and drawing numerous resources, locally and regionally.”
Westford, along with all of Middlesex County was recently placed within mild drought conditions according to a state dashboard. As only WestfordCAT reported, the Water Department imposed heightened water use restrictions in September.
Across the state, brush fires have raged across Eastern Massachusetts. One brush fire has resulted in at least one death in the area of a brush fire in Millbury, according to reporting from the Associated Press.
Members of the Westford Fire Department along with other area departments and the state national guard earlier today were dispatched to a Middleton brush fire.
According to the Department of Fire Services, 47 brush fires remain active across the state, 18 of which began over the last 24 hours as of Oct. 28.
Officials encourage residents to refrain from outdoor cooking and heating, exercise caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and other power equipment as well as douse ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves with water among other recommendations.
