With 47 active brush fires reported statewide, including 18 in the past 24 hours, Fire Chief Antonio Marino would like to urge residents to use extra caution with any open flame or other heat source outdoors and emphasize no outside fires are permitted.
Residents are reminded that the ongoing weather conditions make dry leaves, dead vegetation, and other fuels extremely receptive to ignition.
Based on the preliminary causes of recent fires, officials are asking residents to:
• Remember that open burning is prohibited statewide through January and from May 15th through January 15th in Wrentham.
• Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
• Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. The engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass.
• Dispose of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in a metal can, douse them with water, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles long after the fire goes out: never dump them outdoors or in the trash.
• Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris.
Weather conditions statewide currently place all Massachusetts communities at elevated risk of brush fires. Many of these fires could spread to or from residential areas. Residents should monitor fire conditions closely and follow instructions from local public safety officials. Ensure that Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are enabled on your cell phone. If your community has a local alert system, sign up to receive local warnings.
Find more outdoor fire safety tips on the Department of Fire Services’ website.
