Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
SAUGUS, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — As brushfires continue to burn across Massachusetts, fire crews are working to keep the blazes under control.
Twenty active fires are burning in the Commonwealth as of Thursday, including two separate fires at the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus.
According to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), it is unclear how these fires started- but abandoned campfires throughout the reservation have been identified as a potential cause.
Ongoing drought conditions across the state have increased the chances of lightning-caused fires if there are thunderstorms in the area.
Most of Massachusetts is currently in a Level 3 critical drought.
Read More: Fire Crews Battle To Contain Brush Fire In Blue Hills Reservation
While the arrival of rain is expected to help contain the blazes both on Thursday and Friday, DCR said that people can still expect moderate to heavy smoke conditions in areas around active fires.
The DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control said that over 1,200 fires have been reported so far this year. In November alone, 425 fires erupted with over 2,500 acres burned.
The largest of the 20 active brushfires currently burning across the Commonwealth is in Great Barrington, with over 1,100 acres scorched so far. As of Thursday, containment was at zero percent.
Fires burning in Massachusetts as of Thursday 11/21/24 at 10:03 a.m. :
Butternut (Great Barrington): 1146 acres, 0% contained
Houghtons Path (Milton): 41 acres, 70% contained
Cain Hill (Salem/Lynn): 140+ acres, 60% contained
Middleton Pond (Middleton): 242 acres, 60% contained
Old Forest Road (North Andover/Boxford): 134 acres, 60% contained
Pappas (Canton): 33 acres, 90% contained
Traders Way (Salem): 15 acres, 85% contained
Bradway (Monson): 44 acres, 90% contained
Castle Rock (Saugus): 24 acres, 60% contained
Fitzgerald (Northampton): 55 acres, 85% contained
Moose Meadow (Montgomery): 60 acres, 80% contained
Georgetown/Rowley: 10 acres, 75% contained
Fern (Saugus): 20 acres, 70% contained
Mt. Gilead (Lynn): 440 acres, 50% contained
Crag Mountain South (Northfield): 5 acres, 85% contained
Pine Hill (Foxborough): 10 acres, 90% contained
Depot (Whately): 2 acres, 85% contained
Thomas Road (North Andover): 220 acres, 10% contained
Braintree Brush (Braintree): 45 acres, 80% contained
Rocky Pond (Boylston): 2 acres, 70% contained
Franklin Well #8 (Franklin): 12 acres, 80% contained
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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