As of last week, Massachusetts is on high alert again, as the risk for wildfires rises.
Last year there were almost 663 fires across the state of Massachusetts with 4,000 acres of land burned. The Chief Fire Warden of Massachusetts has stressed the importance of exercising extreme caution when getting rid of smoking materials, burning brush, handling campfires and dealing with any sort of fire.
Even before the official start of fire season, the Massachusetts area is experiencing dry conditions that are fueling brush fires and prompting water conservation measures across Massachusetts. areas like Topsfield have reintroduced outdoor water bans.
“These are going to be the strictest restrictions we’ve ever had to impose,” Greg Krom, Topsfield Water Superintendent, told NBC Boston.
“The start of the fire season in the spring is coming sooner now and the end of the fire season in the fall is coming later now,” said Vandana Rao, Director of Water Policy at Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Under high alert, we must be cautious. Occasional rainfall won’t be enough to make up for the twelve inches lost and since we can’t just make rain appear, we have to conserve and save water in these trying times.
Currently, the Massachusetts area has received twelve inches less rain than it needs for this time of year. Consistent and significant rainfall will be a necessity to make up for the twelve inches of precipitation lost. Massachusetts will have to find a balance of preparedness for the risk of fires and conservation in the dry months ahead.
Massachusetts has long been recognized for its stunning landscapes and fall foliage, however this state has also fought a tough battle with wildfires. During the fall season of 2024, brush fires were common among the forests, rural areas and even the suburbs. October itself averaged about fifteen wildfires and November averaged with twenty-one wildfires.
Similar to today, drought conditions are becoming more frequent, leading to an increase in brush fires.
Dave Celino, Massachusetts Fire Warden, told WBUR, “Given the ongoing drought conditions across Massachusetts, our wildfire risk remains high, with the dry landscape providing ample fuel for fires to spread quickly,”.
Drought conditions can affect vegetation and the dryness in nature, causing brush fires to become more extreme. Hopefully with April approaching, we will see more heavy showers.