Massachusetts residents are being asked to conserve water because of wildfires, drought

With a drought and wildfires plaguing Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey is telling people to conserve water to help firefighters.

"'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,' Healey said in a release. '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.'

Here's what to know.

What's the latest on wildfires burning in the state?

"There are about 60 wildfires burning in Massachusetts as of Wednesday, according to National Interagency Fire Center data which tracks wildfires across the United States.

"That's down from Nov. 9 when state fire officials reported 175 #wildfires that continued to be an issue across Massachusetts. Mass Wildlife stated that there were 203 brush fires in Massachusetts during the month of October, which is an increase of about 1,200% over the average. Typically, there are only about 15 brush fires in October.

"On Nov. 10, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) stated, 'Effective immediately and continuing until further notice, the (DCR) has closed Boxford State Forest to visitors in order to fight an active wildfire.' That wildfire burnt 150 acres of land.

How severe is the drought in Massachusetts?

"As of Nov. 7, the Connecticut River Valley's (#Connecticut, #Massachusetts, #NewHampshire, and #Vermont) level was raised to a Level 2 (significant drought). The central and northeast regions of Massachusetts have been raised to a #Level3, which constitutes a '#CriticalDrought.' Cape Cod is considered to be 'abnormally dry' at the moment."

https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/news/2024/11/13/massachusetts-wildfires-drought-water-conservation/76250700007/

#ThisIsFine #NYCBrushFires #WildfireWx #Drought2024
#FireSeason #NortheastWildfires

#InwoodPark Ablaze as #BrushFires Reach Historic Levels Across #NYC

Firefighters have responded to more than 200 brush fires in the past two weeks, including nearly two dozen in #VanCortlandtPark in The Bronx, as the city reckons with an historically dry and fiery season.

by Jonathan Custodio and Max Rivera Nov. 13, 2024

‘We Could Smell It From Our Apartment’

"The recent brush fires over a historically dry stretch included two separate ones over four days in wooded parts of the Bronx’s sprawling Van Cortlandt Park that have local residents and officials concerned about what could be coming before significant rain finally arrives.

"'Remarkably dry conditions in October and so far in November have resulted in a historic amount of brush fires over the last two weeks,' FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said in a statement on Wednesday, hours before another brush fire erupted in Inwood Hill Park. 'Due to a significant lack of rainfall, the threat of fast spreading brush fires fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions pose a real threat to our members and our city."

https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/11/13/brush-fires-nyc-inwood-van-cortlandt-parks/

#NYCBrushFires #NYC #WildfireWx #Drought2024 #FireSeason #NortheastWildfires

Meanwhile, back home in #Massachusetts...

#LynnWoods brush fire doubles in size as it burns over 200 acres

The #Lynn Woods is the latest to burn amid the drought the region is experiencing.

By Matt Fortin
Published November 10, 2024

"The fire is also burning deep into the ground, causing trees to fall due to their roots being weakened by the fire.

"So far, the fire hasn't burned over Dungeon Rock and on the road towards Jackson's Path.

"The smoke from the flames has now cast a giant cloud over the city of Lynn.

"'Like a couple of bombs went off, and a lot of smoke and my concern at my house, I have my hose ready to go in case, its coming this way in case it goes the other way toward my house im gonna spray the house down with my hose.' said John Petersen who lives near the reservation."

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/lynn-woods-brush-fire-doubles-in-size-as-it-burns-over-200-acres/3546846/

#NortheastWildfires #NorthShore #LynnMassachusetts #ClimateCrisis #ClimateChange #ClimateDiary

Two #brushfires in #PortlandMaine within a little more than a week. Luckily, they were both extinguished quickly.

#BrushFire extinguished in #PortlandsWestEnd amid dry, gusty weather

The fire burned near Commercial and Danforth streets on Saturday morning, Portland fire officials said.

November 9, 2024

Original article:
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/11/09/brush-fire-extinguished-in-portlands-west-end-amid-dry-gusty-weather/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/HkFvQ

CMP transformer blows in Portland, causes small grass fire, power outages

The fire spread along the Western Promenade due to heavy #winds and #dry grass, officials say.

November 1, 2024
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/public-safety/danforth-street-portland-maine-fire-power-outage-cmp/97-bc321175-8086-4c02-b1f0-a1ad5aa7045b

#Drought #Wildfires #NortheastWildfires #Maine #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis

#Wildfires cause smoky skies, #AirQuality issues in #NewYorkCity

Dangerous wildfires continued to cause bad air quality across the #TriState region amid a historic #drought.

By Monica Danielle, AccuWeather Managing Editor
Published Nov 10, 2024

"New York City has been shrouded in hazy skies and a strong smoke smell as dangerous wildfires continue to cause bad air quality across the Tri-State region amid a historic drought.

"On Saturday, an acrid, smoky odor spread throughout the city, lasting well into the evening after fires broke out on Friday in #Brooklyn, the #Bronx and nearby #NewJersey, areas that are not typically prone to wildfires but are experiencing a significant drought."

Read more:
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/wildfires-cause-smoky-skies-air-quality-issues-in-new-york-city/1712236

#ClimateChange #ClimateDiary #Northeast #NortheastWildfires #Massachusetts #NewHampshire #NewYork #Maryland

Dangerous air quality hits New York as brush fires erupt in #Northeast

Firefighters battled brush fires in #NewJersey and Brooklyn.

ByIvan Pereira
November 9, 2024,

"#NewYorkCity officials issued an air quality alert Saturday morning amid several #brushfires burning in the U.S. northeast, including one in #Brooklyn's largest park the previous night.

The city's Office of Emergency Management said the Air Quality Index (#AQI) is forecast to reach 101-150 on Saturday. Under those conditions, the air is not safe for people with sensitive breathing issues and the elderly, according to the federal government's #AirNow resource."

Read more:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/dangerous-air-quality-hits-new-york-brush-fires/story?id=115696563

#Wildfires #NortheastWildfires #ClimateDiary #ClimateCrisis #AirQuality #NewYork #NewJersey