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Boston - Governor Maura Healey visited the Middleton Fire Department today to thank firefighters and first responders who have been working to contain brush fires in the area and across the state over the past few weeks. More than 450 fires have burned over 1,500 acres since October 1 in Massachusetts, including two ongoing fires in Middleton, and air quality continues to be affected in many communities.
Multiple fires remain active and have proved difficult to contain due to extremely low rainfall in the region over the last two months. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has declared drought conditions affecting nearly the entire state. The National Weather Service under guidance from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has issued a red flag warning for all of Massachusetts due to this critical fire weather pattern. Groundwater levels in many regions are declining, which means that the lakes and ponds that firefighters use to fight many of these fires are providing less water to work with, underscoring the need to conserve.
“Massachusetts is experiencing a historic drought, which is resulting in brush fires across the state. I’m grateful to the firefighters and first responders who have been working hard, day in and day out, to keep their communities safe. We appreciate the immense effort and sacrifice they are putting in, and the risks they are facing," said Governor Healey. “Drought conditions and wildfire risks are ongoing. There are steps everyone can take to minimize risk, protect their communities, conserve water and support our firefighters. Residents, businesses and facilities should minimize their water use as much as possible, and there should be no outdoor fires at this time. Our firefighters are working hard and making considerable sacrifices to battle these fires on our behalf. Let’s do all we can to avoid making their jobs any harder.”
“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities safe during these challenging circumstances,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The best way that we can thank the first responders who are battling these fires is to do our part not to contribute to them. That means no fire pits, outdoor grilling or anything that could send sparks into the air. We’re going to get through this, together, and the state is here to be a partner and provide additional support.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been providing emergency services, coordination assistance, and resources through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Department of Fire Services (DFS), the State Police, the National Guard, Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Department of Public Health (DPH), and the Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The Department of Fire Services is supporting local fire departments with rehab units for firefighter health and safety; Incident Support Units that offer communications, conferencing, and mapping capabilities in the field; drones and pilots to provide incident commanders with traditional and thermal imagery from the air and assist in resource deployment; and off-road vehicles to move personnel in remote areas. DFS has also provided local fire chiefs with Fire Code citations to support local outdoor fire bans and associated public education messaging. The Statewide Fire Mobilization Plan is coordinating delivery of firefighters and apparatus from across the state so that local departments and mutual aid aren’t overwhelmed by large-scale, long-term incidents.
MEMA is working daily with DFS, DCR, MA National Guard, and the Executive Office of Public Safety on state agency coordination, to ensure support of communities battling wildfires, including water drop missions. MEMA’s dispatchers have processed 16 mobilization requests of the State Fire and EMS Mobilization Plan, to augment mutual aid in impacted areas when requested. MEMA’s Mobile Emergency Operations Center has been deployed as the unified command post in Middleton since October 28th and the agency’s Local Coordinators have provided on-scene support in multiple communities and continue to assist with logistics and other coordination needs as they arise in cities and towns across the state.
DCR’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control is assisting local fire departments across the state with response, tactical, strategic planning. managing and monitoring of all active wildfires. DCR wildland firefighters and fire control staff are providing fire detection support and mapping from DCR Fire Towers and supporting on the ground firefighting. DCR is also collaborating with neighboring state fire managers and Region 9 U.S. Forest Service staff on fire advisory, available resources and situational awareness. DCR has requested assistance in fighting the state’s ongoing wildfires through the Northeast Compact, and as a result, firefighters from New Hampshire and Maine have responded to provide assistance. DCR has also issued a temporary ban of all open flame and charcoal fires within state park properties.
"We owe our deepest gratitude to the many brave firefighters and first responders who are confronting challenging conditions to protect our communities from the dangers of wildfire," said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. "As they work to safeguard our people, property and natural resources, we ask every resident to join in by doing all we can to prevent new fire risks. By taking simple precautions, we can make a meaningful difference to support those who are on the front lines."
“The alarming increase in wildfire activity is precisely why the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and agencies like DFS, DCR, and MEMA have all issued strong recommendations for the public and industry to avoid any outdoor activities involving fire or anything that could create sparks. But despite these warnings, we continue to see fires started by human activity—including campfires, backyard fires, and equipment that produces sparks,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “While not every fire this season is due to the result of people’s decisions, many are – so you can help protect your family, your home, your community, and the responders on the front lines.”
“In a drought, every small action counts. Clearing dry plants, following fire safety rules, and using water wisely can help protect our homes and the environment,” said Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These simple changes not only safeguard your home but also conserve valuable resources for the entire community.”
“Our DCR firefighters and Fire Control staff are working around the clock to help our local communities detect, respond to and effectively manage these record wildfires that are burning around our state,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We are committed to doing everything we can to protect the safety of our residents and our forests from these wildfires. We want to remind families and residents visiting our parks and campgrounds that we have a temporary ban on all open flame and charcoal fires across the state park system.”
“We continue to be at a high risk for wildfires, with the dry weather providing ample fuel for fires to spread quickly across Massachusetts,” said DCR Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino. “As firefighters, we are working tirelessly to contain these incidents, but we need the public’s cooperation in helping reduce risks. We are cautioning residents to remain vigilant and to remember that even small sparks can ignite a larger fire in these dry conditions. Please do your part to conserve water, so our firefighters have the resources they need to continue fighting these blazes and protecting our communities and natural resources.”
“When these events happen, MassDOT helps to provide essential road signs and messaging to detour traffic as needed. We are grateful to serve as partners and will continue to work with local fire, police, and emergency responders in helping to keep our towns and communities safe,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt.
“The Massachusetts National Guard has been committed to the safety and security of the residents of the commonwealth for nearly four centuries,” said Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. “The soldiers who conducted the firefighting missions personify the modern citizen-soldier. Earlier this year they were performing their wartime mission in the middle east, flying transportation and MEDEVAC missions, and in the past few weeks they have demonstrated their invaluable domestic capabilities by responding to recent wildfires across the state. ‘Always Ready, Aways There’ isn’t just a motto to us it is a solemn pledge that whenever our state or nation needs us, we will be there to lend a hand.”
"The duration and intensity of these fires, driven by drought and wind conditions, has presented a major challenge for the first responders that have had to confront them across many locations for extended periods of time. They have met that challenge with extraordinary interagency collaboration, resourcefulness and teamwork. The capabilities of the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control and the Massachusetts State Police Drone Unit have been instrumental in this effort,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “While these professionals are working for long hours day after day, there is a role for all of us to play as well. Being alert to the dangerous conditions that persist, and simply avoiding actions that can trigger additional fires are powerful things that all of us can do to support their extraordinary efforts.”
“The wildfires that have been spreading across Massachusetts require an all hands on deck response to contain the damage and protect against the loss of life and property,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “My thanks to the Middleton Fire Department and all of the first responders throughout the state, including the National Guard, who have been working around the clock to contain and extinguish these fires. As we continue to experience severe drought conditions, I join in urging the residents of the Commonwealth to remain vigilant and to do their part by avoiding any activities that might contribute to the spread of these brush fires so we can put this danger behind us.”
“The ongoing effort to successfully manage this fire across 170 acres is a phenomenal display of mutual aid and collaboration among Chief LeColst and the Middleton Fire Department and several state agencies,” said State Representative Sally Kerans (D-Danvers).
“Together, Middleton and the Commonwealth have prevented these fires from reaching homes and structures, and we are grateful and committed to continuing the necessary funding for the personnel and tools the effort demands.”
"Middleton is proud of our first responders who are fighting back threats in our own back yards. Municipalities do not have the resources needed to grapple with the unfortunate realities of climate change. It is critical that we work together to establish a proactive approach to these new challenges,” said Middleton Town Administrator Justin Sultzbach. “We appreciate the support of our surrounding communities, as well as our partners on Beacon Hill who have stood beside us during this difficult time."
“For the past 17 days, members of the Middleton Fire Department have been working alongside over 60 fire departments from across the state to contain and extinguish over 240 acres of wildland fires. The Department would like to thank state and local agencies who have assisted us during these unprecedented times,” said Middleton Fire Chief Doug LeColst. “Unfortunately, events like this are becoming too common and it is important that residents follow the advice and warnings set forth by public safety officials during this historic drought.”
About 45 percent of Massachusetts homes are in or near areas at severe wildfire risk, meaning that any significant fire will put people and property in danger. Because any outdoor fire will spread quickly and become very difficult to control, local and state officials are asking residents to follow these fire prevention tips:
- Remember that burning yard waste is prohibited statewide from May 1 to January 15 and prohibited year-round in some communities.
- Refrain from any outdoor cooking and heating activity, including those that involve fire pits, solo stoves, chimineas, etc. Many cities and towns have implemented temporary restrictions on any outdoor fires.
- Use extra caution with lawn tractors, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. Sparks, hot engines, and spilled gasoline can ignite dead leaves, dry grass, and other combustibles.
- 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.
- Fully extinguish all smoking materials in a heavy ashtray with water or sand. Never discard cigarette butts, matches, or other materials over a porch railing, out a car window, or into dry vegetation.