Pockets of flames were popping up all around Salem, Peabody, and Lynn overnight, as more than 130 acres of brush have burned in this North Shore wildfire since Saturday.
Right along Highland Avenue by the Walmart, the hillside was on fire on Monday morning. Firefighters pulled up and were able to quickly extinguish the flames. The problem is the brush remains dry, there’s still a breeze, and with the fire in the ground and more than 80 acres burning in this fire alone, it’s difficult to completely put it out.
“There’s hundreds of stump and tree branches still smoldering and burning out there. We’ll be working some of those areas closest to the houses just to put those out and alleviate some of those concerns," Salem Fire Chief Alan Dionne said.
There were several wildfires burning throughout the state over the weekend – from Millbury, where one person died in a brush fire at an encampment, to Salem. And without rain in the forecast, the concern is fires like the one in Salem will just keep burning.
With limited access to the sprawling fire, crews are essentially containing it and moving firefighting apparatus around to put out flames and hot spots when they get near homes or businesses.
“It does make me nervous because I heard about the red flags for the past few weeks so that’s been kind of scary," said Betsey Cassidy, who lives near the brush fires.
Meanwhile in Middleton and Reading, a brush fire continued to burn near the local reservoir. The concern in that community was it was close to the power lines on Upton Hills Road.
In fact, several brush fires are burning in multiple communities across the Bay State, which is sending smoke billowing up into the sky and sparking calls to first responders throughout the region.
Fire crews say there’s just an elevated risk everywhere because of the extremely dry conditions.
18 new fires in Massachusetts in the last day
David Celino, chief fire warden with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, said there have been 18 new fires in the state in the last 24 hours alone, and a total of about 45 fires over the past two days.
He said the Salem fire at Cain Hill, which also includes Lynn and Saugus, is about 133 acres in all. It's about 50% contained but remains active. It's not threatening homes and businesses right now.
The Middleton Pond fire is impacting 127 acres and has not been contained at all. Celino said fire crews are currently working to secure the perimeter.
Another emerging fire is in Canton, where 32 acres near Reservoir Pond are burning. He said that blaze has been about 30% contained.
“Fall fire activity in New England is not that uncommon. It doesn’t happen every year," Celino said. "It follows emerging drought coming out of the summer months."
Even areas without fire are experiencing smoke conditions.
“You could smell the ash, that’s all. I got kind of clogged up, but I can smell the ash,” added Jim Heaphy of Lynn.
Tanisha Miller said, “It’s like burning your nose and your throat and everything, so hope they figure it out.”
Firefighters in Salem are getting help from Task Force 16, which is deploying tanker trucks, brush trucks and additional manpower to three or four strategic locations, primarily working with ground crews Monday.
“Each strike team will just work in those areas and try to darken down what’s burning and move it out to areas that have already burned and maybe extinguish some of the nuisance fires," Dionne said.
While crews try to contain the fire from the ground, they’ll also be putting up a couple drones to get a better view of where to need to send manpower next. With Halloween just three days away, the hope is this can be contained enough that the smoke isn’t as bad as thousands descend on this community.
Fires burn close to Mass. homes, but no evacuation orders yet
The forest around Middleton Pond was black, charred and still smoldering as of Monday evening. A helicopter hovered over the pond around mid-afternoon, working to fill a large bucket with water.
The area's wildfire was keeping fire crews busy and people nearby on their toes.
"I saw, like, big flames erupted on my property line, and the lawn was just like completely smoky," Hannah Wedge said.
While she was nervous, she said it was reassuring that the fire department was working in the area and saying it was safe to stay.
At Saugus' Cedar Glen Golf Course Monday night, crews were forced to leave the area — trees falling in the darkness were making it too dangerous to continue working.
Fire safety message for Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services was asking residents and visitors to follow these tips:
- Remember that open burning is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round.
- Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating.
- Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment.
- Dispose of 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 a sturdy ashtray with water or sand.
