‘Extreme Drought’ Conditions Take Hold In Burlington, Eastern Mass.

BURLINGTON, MA —Severe weather that brought rain and high winds to communities north of Boston in recent days still wasn't enough to bust the region's lingering drought conditions, according to state and federal drought experts.

Instead, the situation has now worsened, as noted by the U.S. Drought Monitor, which has identified "extreme drought" conditions across a large stretch of Eastern Massachusetts from the Cape Ann area, through Greater Boston and south into Bristol County and Cape Cod.

The state similarly announced this week that conditions had “deteriorated.” The drought, officials warned, is leading to everything from decreased water levels in local waterways to heightened fire activity.

The state offered tips on water conservation alongside its most recent announcement on Tuesday.

In Burlington, local effects of the drought have been severe. The town has been unable to draw water from the nearby Shawsheen River, leaving it to rely on its Mill Pond Reservoir.

The reservoir is running low, though, and a full outdoor watering ban is in effect.

The town Department of Public Works took to social media last week to reiterate information on the ban, additionally saying that town officials had issued over 400 water ban violations and 70 fines to date this year.