Photo: Emma Friedman
MIDDLETON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey provided an update Tuesday on wildfires around the state, urging people to avoid outdoor fires and conserve water.
Healey spoke from the Danvers Water Treatment Plant in Middleton, down the road from the Middleton Fire Department. The town is currently fighting the state’s largest fire at Middleton Pond, which has gone on for 17 days and is currently spanning nearly 250 acres. It is 80% contained, according to the fire department.
Healey thanked firefighters around the state for the “incredible work” they’ve been doing to contain the fires, adding that three firefighters in Massachusetts have been injured while containing the wildfires.
In October there were 208 fires reported, according to Healey, and in November alone, 192 fires were logged as of this past weekend.
All of the fires in the state have been caused by humans, said Massachusetts Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino.
Healey and others stressed the importance of mitigating wildfire risks, telling the public to not burn anything outdoors.
“Now is not the time to burn leaves. Now is not the time to go outside and light a fire out back, and sit around one of our stoves. It’s just not that time,” Healey said.
Massachusetts is currently experiencing an extreme drought. The state has had no significant precipitation throughout most of the fall season.
“Any fire will spread quickly and will be very difficult to control,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davin.
Healey also said the public must conserve water, including running the dishwasher less frequently, only running full loads in the washing machine, taking shorter showers and fixing plumbing leaks.
“Please, everybody, just use common sense, and don't contribute to creating risks,” Healey said.
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