North Shore Fires Persist With Record Warmth Expected For Halloween

UPDATED 12:45 p.m.

SALEM, MA — While a splash of overnight rain and the days-long efforts of fire crews helped contain a series of brush fires on the North Shore, the fire risk remained high on Wednesday ahead of near-record warm temperatures expected for the rest of the week.

Salem officials said on Wednesday morning that the rain helped douse the two fire locations in that city that had sent smoke as far down the coast as Greater Boston and the South Shore but that areas were still smoldering and more smoke was expected on Wednesday.

"With the warm weather and the wind in the forecast, it is likely there will be more flare-ups, as well, especially at the Traders Way site, but fire personnel will be on-site to maintain a line and keep it contained," Salem officials said.

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Officials said there had been "rumors" of other brush fires in Salem but that the ones near Spring Pond and Traders Way are the significant ones in the Witch City.

"However, there are other brush fires throughout Massachusetts that may be contributing to smokey conditions in the region," officials said.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation on Wednesday, effective immediately and continuing until further notice, banned all open flame and charcoal fires across the state parks system to prevent wildfires due to drought conditions.

Salem schools were all back in session on Wednesday after the smoke forced the early dismissal of the high school campus on Tuesday.

One of the other major brush fires on the North Shore contributing to the sight and odor of smoke across eastern Massachusetts is in Middleton where officials said an estimated 168 acres had burned since Sunday.

"Crews worked throughout the day, focusing on wetting down the fire's perimeter," Middeton fire said Tuesday night. "Additional fire resources were brought in from the state task force teams. While significant progress was made, there are still large areas of hot spots that will continue to emit smoke throughout the evening."

Middleton fire said crews would be back on the scene Wednesday to deal with hot spots and flareups.

"A reminder that residents will most likely continue to see and smell smoke," fire officials said. "Please keep windows and doors closed to help prevent smoke from entering your home."

The National Weather Service said on Wednesday that the prolonged period of dry weather, coupled with very dry ground, will continue to result in elevated fire weather concerns.

"Use caution when handling and disposing of ignition sources," the NWS said in a special weather statement. "Outdoor burning is not recommended."

While Tuesday night's rain may have provided a brief respite from the expanding fires, much warmer temperatures with strong winds could reignite them on Wednesday through Friday.

Wednesday's high temperatures were expected to reach 71 degrees with southwest winds blowing to 10 mph.

Thursday could be a record-warm Halloween with a high temperature threatening the all-time Boston record of 81 degrees along with a steady southwest wind.

Another round of light showers is expected during another warm day on Friday with highs in the 70s.

Temperatures will recede to more seasonable levels over the weekend with a high of 54 on Saturday and 56 on Sunday under sunny skies.

The next substantial rain is not forecast until at least Tuesday.

(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.)