On top of other things going on so far this November, Massachusetts is monitoring a “red flag warning" for increased fire risk. The entire state is at risk for brush and wildfires due to dry conditions, warm temperatures and gusty winds. Following red flag warnings during election week, the National Weather Service alerts "all of Massachusetts east of the Berkshires, northern Connecticut, and all of Rhode Island."
“Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly,” the NWS said in an updated statement on Thursday, Nov. 14. “Outdoor burning is not recommended.”
More than 200 brush fires started across Massachusetts in October, and more than 50 have already been addressed in the first week of November, the Boston Globe reported—figures way higher than the Bay State’s average 15 wildfires in a typical October. This fall has been anything but typical, with just more than 2 inches of rain seen in Boston since September.
“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,” Governor Maura Healey said in a statement. Nearly 500 acres across Massachusetts burned in early November, including “significant” fires in Salem and Lynn, Blue Hills Reservation in Milton, Northampton in Western Mass. and elsewhere.
“We have seen truly remarkable efforts from our fire service. Let’s support them by using caution and common sense out there,” Healey said.
With no rain in the forecast, plus sustaining winds at 5–15 mph gusting to 30, crunchy leaves and bright sunlight, brush fires today could be especially dangerous, according to NWS.
Here’s what state officials ask residents to keep in mind during a red flag warning:
- Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating
- Use caution with power equipment including lawnmowers, leaf blowers and all-terrain vehicles
- Dispose of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves properly, in a metal can, doused with water and covered with a tight-fitting lid
- Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand
The unseasonable weather and general vibes of this week make it a great one for a walk in the park or hike around Boston. If you spot a brush fire, alert 911.
Massachusetts is far from the only state at risk for wildfires this week.
Other cities that have had a red flag warning across the U.S.
Chicago and Los Angeles