Falmouth Fire Officials Contend With Drought Conditions To Battle Brush Fire

FALMOUTH, MA — Falmouth fire officials battled a July 4 weekend brush fire for a few hours on Saturday.

Just before 6 a.m. Saturday, several callers reported smoke in the area of Carriage Shop Road and Sandwich Road. Officials said they also investigated a smoke condition at the same location on July 4, but were unable to locate the source of the smoke.

Engine 25 and Car 28 arrived in the area and located a brush fire on the power lines in the area of Greenbriar Lane off of Sandwich Road on Saturday.

Additional equipment and first responders arrived on the scene, which included Brush Breakers from Joint Base Cape Cod, Mashpee Fire Rescue, and West Barnstable Fire Rescue. Tankers for water supply from Bourne Fire Rescue, Sandwich Fire Rescue, and support units from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation District Forest Fire Control Warden, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, Special Operations Rehab Unit and the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office Drone Unit were also requested.

Officials said the fire had spread to wooded areas with dense underbrush just off the power line area, which required the use of hose lines into the area, a task made difficult by the thick vegetation, officials said. Level 2 drought conditions added difficulty to the fire management.

The fire was declared out by noon, but approximately two and a half acres were burned, officials said.

The State Fire Warden remained on location to monitor the area, which had occasional hot spots and flare-ups, which required a local response back to the area to assist.

"Until there is significant rainfall, hot spots will continue to be a challenge to contend with," Falmouth officials said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Falmouth Fire Rescue and the District Fire Warden. Nearby residents reported the use of illegal fireworks on the evening of the fourth.