North Shore Endures 'Extreme Drought' Conditions

SALEM, MA — Despite a loud weekend filled with thunder, lightning and sporadic downpours, the North Shore has entered what is considered "extreme drought conditions" for the first time in two years.

The North Shore is part of about 25 percent of the state designated as "extreme drought" under revised conditions released on Thursday. While Cape Cod, the Merrimack Valley and Worcester County remain under "severe drought conditions" the extreme area stretches from Cape Anne through Greater Boston and extends to southeast Massachusetts to the Rhode Island border.

The U.S. Drought Monitor said that under "extreme drought" conditions crop loss can be widespread, Christmas tree farms are stressed and farms can become financially pressured. Water recreation and hunting can also be modified with more instances of wildlife disease.

Water flow on rivers and other waterways can also be extremely slow or cease.

Several North Shore cities and towns have taken action amid the ongoing drought.

Danvers in late June went to a Level 5 "conserve water" restriction which prevents watering outdoors at any time unless using a hand-held hose or watering can from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.

The restriction also prevents outdoor car washing and the filling of swimming pools.

Salem Police Chief Alan Dionne last week issued an order prohibiting all outside burning within city limits, including campground sites at Winter Island. Charcoal grills may be used for cooking only, and must be monitored while in use and thoroughly extinguished after use.

The ban came after brush fires ignited in Gloucester, Marblehead and Topsfield, burning acres of land with low water flow hampering containment efforts. A brush fire also recently broke out along the side of Route 128 in Danvers.

"Activities like using model rocketry, smoking, and cooking/campfires may seem benign but are immeasurably more likely to cause a fire given the dry conditions Essex County as a whole is experiencing currently," the Topsfield Fire Department said in a statement after a model rocket mishap caused a fire there that burned about two acres of grass.

The good news is that some relief may be on the way — though not for at least a few days.

While there the National Weather Service reports the chance of a stray shower on Thursday, residents should remain vigilant through a very dry and sunny weekend ahead.

The next chance for significant rain is Monday night into 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. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)