Record Heat, Red Flag Fire Warning Across MA

MASSACHUSETTS — Record high temperatures and strong westerly winds amid a "severe" drought across parts of Massachusetts are creating a ominous threat for the rapid spread of more wildfires over the next few days.

Temperatures were expected to threaten or pass the all-time state records on Wednesday of 76 degrees in Boston, 72 degrees in Worcester, 75 degrees in Providence and 76 degrees in Hartford.

It wound up doing so easily in Boston with Wednesday's high of 80 degrees on Nov. 6 becoming the latest in the calendar year that the temperature has ever reached 80 or higher. It had only one other time hit 80 earlier in November more than 50 years ago on Nov. 2.

The soaring temperatures, along with wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour, contributed to the critical fire risk.

The NWS has issued a Red Flag Warning for all of Massachusetts through Wednesday at 6 p.m.

"A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly," the NWS said. "Any fires that start may spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish."

• Smoke Alert: North Shore Fires Cancel Salem Outdoor School Activities

Many cities and towns have banned the use of all outdoor fire pits, cooking fires and chimeras until further notice, with residents urged to exercise extreme care even when using outdoor lawn equipment and propane-fueled grills because of spark dangers that could ignite fires that quickly spread.

An elevated fire risk will continue at least into the weekend with extremely dry conditions.

High temperatures are expected to be around 70 degrees on Thursday with west winds gusting to 11 mph. Friday's high is 63 with gusts up to 25 mph.

More seasonable weather approaches over the weekend with still mostly-dry conditions.

Saturday's high is 54 with sunshine and a northwest wind, while Sunday will have a high of 60 under partly sunny skies.

The next chance for significant rain is not until Sunday night into Monday.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)