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Writer's pictureTim Dennis

Brush Fires Continue to Burn Across Massachusetts, Connecticut

In what has become the busiest fall brush fire season in recent memory for New England, numerous fires continue to burn across the region. Around 200 wildfires broke out across Massachusetts alone in October, with many more across New England's five other states as well. Around 100 of Massachusetts' fires were reported within the last week. These fires have burned through nearly 600 acres.


Large fires have been seen in Middleton (188 acres), Salem (140 acres), Devens (100 acres) and Northampton (54 acres) . All of these fires are in various stages of containment, though none of them have been completely contained as of the last update from Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. Hundreds of smaller fires continue to be worked on across the state. The Monson fire broke out along Bradway Road on the afternoon of Halloween.


Fire in Monson. Photo by Monson Fire Department

This fire rapidly grew and threatened homes on the road, though no structures have been damaged. As of Saturday, the Monson Fire Department has reported that the fire is 90% contained, but will likely take several more days of battling hot spots and flare ups. On Saturday, a wildfire in Northampton, Massachusetts was said to have doubled in size overnight, this fire was last reported to be around 50 acres in size.



Brush fire line in Northampton, MA. Photo by Northampton Fire Rescue

The current fire in Salem, Massachusetts is the Cairn Hill Fire, which is one of two that have burned in Salem over the past week. These fires have led to very unhealthy air quality at times this past week as smoke became trapped near the surface. Massachusetts' largest fire of the season continues to be the Middleton fire. This fire is currently reported to be 70% contained. Middleton firefighters have conducted a burn out operation where firefighters set small fires to burn out the fuel for the main fire.


Video shared by Salem, MA firefighters on Friday, November 1:


Recent fires in Massachusetts have mainly erupted in the western and central part of the state. This comes after fires over much of the past 10 days were concentrated in the eastern portion of the state, around the Greater Boston area.


In Connecticut, over 100 fires have broken out across the state this fall. The Hawthorne Fire, which is now approaching the two week mark since the fire first broke out, is currently being held at around 127 acres. Crews continue to report positive progress in the fight. As of Sunday evening, crews have said they will likely be transitioning from a mop up phase to a patrolling phase this week, a sign of continued progress.



A fire that broke out in East Lyme on Saturday in Rocky Neck State Park. East Lyme's fire deputy has said that the fire is contained as of Sunday morning. The fire burned about five acres. Rocky Neck State Park remains closed until further notice. This is the second fire in Lyme over the past week. Crews have transitioned to mop up phase.


Smoke rises out of Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme. Photo by Fox61

In orange, a brush fire destroyed a building on a farm, along with some equipment and supplies. This fire burned just over one acre in total. A total of eight fires were reported on Saturday in Connecticut. A hot shot crew from California has traveled to Connecticut to assist with the fires and have worked the Rocky Neck fire. 97 fires are active across the state as of Sunday morning. Fortunately, many of them are on the smaller side as opposed to the Hawthorne Fire.


Damage caused by Orange brush fire. Photo by Orange Volunteer Fire Association

This fall brush fire season will not be ending this week as dry weather will prevail across southern New England this week. A warm and cold frontal passage this week will bring very minimal to no showers across southern New England. The fronts will lead to gusty winds around midweek and a Red Flag Warning is very possible for Massachusetts and Connecticut on Tuesday and/or Wednesday. An elevated risk of fires will remain in place every day until a substantial rainfall event occurs.


Below: Current Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation outlook:


There is a chance for meaningful rainfall late next weekend into the beginning of the week thereafter. There's plenty of uncertainty on if this system will take a favorable track to bring New England a widespread rainfall, but it is in the cards. This system could still largely miss the region with rainfall as well. For now, meaningful rainfall remains out of the picture for the next week.


The silver lining with this very active brush fire season is that it will burn up much of the available fuel and lead to significantly reduced fire risk in the future. The last very busy fire season in New England was in the spring of 2023. Drought conditions are expanding across New England with the Greater Boston areas currently experiencing a severe drought.


Below: Current US Drought Monitor:


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