Recent brush fires in the North Shore have been persistent and numerous. Many Danvers residents have been able to consistently smell the smoke from the fires, and worry has sparked about the severe increase in brush fires and how long they seem to be lasting this year.
Due to dry, sunny and windy conditions, brush fires can start in an instant. Whether started naturally or by human activities such as campfires, rogue cigarettes or faulty power equipment, fires can start small and become incredibly harsh and dangerous.
Recently, Lynn Woods has had 400 acres burned, and in North Andover, near Boxford State Forest, at least 150 acres have burned. More than 200 acres have burned in Middleton, Cain Hill in the Salem/Lynn area has had 140 acres burned, and many more fires have consumed Massachusetts towns. Last week, when smoke was particularly bad in Danvers, Superintendent Dan Bauer canceled outdoor activities for all DPS elementary schools.
Mass.gov has stated that Massachusetts experienced 203 brush fires in the month of October, and historically, October has only held around 15. More recently, many towns have been able to gain better control over the fires as a result of recent rainfall and fire bans, but it is still good to be cautious, as the rest of the dry season is still waiting.
Some precautions citizens should take during the rest of autumn are minimizing outdoor cooking and heating, only using matches/cigarette butts carefully and cautiously, and only using outdoor power equipment carefully and cautiously. If these precautions are taken, more fires can be prevented. Also, check the air quality of your town on your weather app. If the air quality index is 151 or higher, the air quality is poor and other precautions can be taken. Some of those precautions include not exercising outside, filtering indoor air, avoiding smoking indoors, closing your windows and limiting candle burning.
