Several North Shore Brush Fires Send Smoke Across MA

Updated 11:45 a.m.

SALEM, MA — Several North Shore brush fires continued to smolder on Monday — sending smoke throughout eastern Massachusetts — as communities warned about the dangers of outdoor burning amid a long stretch of dry and windy weather.

Elevated fire risk conditions are expected to continue throughout the week with warming and windy conditions and only a slight chance of rainfall.

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Salem crews and the National Guard on Sunday battled a blaze near Highland Avenue that Chief Alan Dionne said had spread to 130 acres at one point.

On Monday morning, the Lynnfield Fire Department reported heavy smoke coming from fires in Middleton that moved into North Reading and encompassed an estimated size of 50 acres.

"Due to ongoing active fire conditions, residents will continue to see and smell smoke throughout the day," Lynnfield fire said. "Please keep windows and doors closed to help prevent smoke from entering your home. Should you see active flames approaching your property/home, or if you or family members are respiratory compromised and are suffering any effects from the smoke, please call 911."

Salem school officials on Sunday night said they were monitoring the air quality in the city to determine whether students will be allowed to take part in outdoor activities.

"If conditions deteriorate, we will adjust our plan," school officials said. "Please also note, we will be consulting with our building nurses to determine whether there are vulnerable students who should refrain from outdoor activities."

Beverly fire officials said Sunday night that crews were dispatched to the area between Aubuchon Hardware and Wenham Lake for a "heavy, wind-driven fire threatening the Aubuchon block and advancing south.

Crews from Beverly, Danvers, Wenham, Gloucester, and DCR all worked for hours containing and extinguishing the fire.

Saugus officials reported a fire on Monday morning in the Breakheart Reservation near Lynn, which was the site of substantial brush fire damage during the drought two years ago.

Brisk winds served to carry the smoke for miles with the Brookline Fire Department advising residents to expect "the odor of smoke" on Sunday and Monday.

"We do not want you to be alarmed," Brookline fire said. "If you believe the odor is not related to those brush fires, please call 9-1-1 and the appropriate resources will be dispatched."

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said late Monday morning that air quality was considered "unhealthy" in parts of Newton.

"People in Newton should take precautions by reducing outdoor time, taking more breaks, and doing less intense activities if outdoors," she said in a message to the community. "If you have asthma, monitor yourself carefully for symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing and have any quick-relief asthma medicine readily available."

Brush fires were also reported in Canton and Barre on Monday.

Temperatures were forecast to hold in the 50s on Monday and Tuesday before a dramatic warmup that will include a strong southwest wind and temperatures threatening the record of 80 degrees on Halloween.

Mostly dry conditions are expected to continue into the weekend while temperatures recede to more seasonable levels.

(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.)