'Severe' North Shore Drought Conditions Fuel More Brush Fire Concerns

SALEM, MA —The North Shore is now considered in "severe" drought conditions for the first time in two years with very warm, windy weather combined with the lack of rainfall likely to provide more fertile ground for brush fires in the days ahead.

Thirteen percent of Massachusetts is considered in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor in a new map released on Thursday. That includes the North Shore, Greater Boston and parts of MetroWest.

Most of the remainder of the state is considered in a moderate drought.

The classification comes as there was less than an inch of rain total through much of the area during the entire month of October and record high temperatures topping 80 degrees on Halloween.

Those factors contributed to creating fertile grounds for brush fires in Salem and Middleton this week that caused Salem school officials to close the high school Tuesday afternoon because of smoke on campus.

Smoke from the North Shore fires could be seen and smelled down the coast as far as the South Shore.

While higher humidity and a splash of rain helped douse the two Salem brush fires from earlier in the week, the Middleton Fire Department on Thursday warned residents to avoid the area of the reservoir due to "a large-scale fire presence."

"Residents are urged not to traverse the wooded areas, as this is unsafe due to burned-out trees," fire officials said.

Middleton fire said about 166 acres had burned in that town from fires in recent days with crews conducting a controlled "burnout" of additional vulnerable vegetation.

"This tactic will anchor the uncontrolled wildfire to existing hard-packed trails, which serve as a natural firebreak so firefighters can operate more safely and effectively," the Middleton Fire Department said.

Salem and Peabody fire crews were also busy on Halloween assisting Lynn crews after another brush fire ignited in that city.

"Just because the smoke has subsided today, it doesn't mean we're out of the woods," the Beverly Fire Department said on Thursday. "It got cool and we had a little rain. But the heat is back and it will be dry and windy for the next couple of days.

"Please be careful. If the dry fuel on the ground starts to burn, it has the potential to spread quickly. No outside fire unless they are contained and (are fueled by) approved propane or natural gas devices being used properly. No fires at all where proper clearances from fuels like vegetation or structures can't be maintained."

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Friday with only a chance of light rain and temperatures once again approaching 80 degrees.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will shortly.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation on Wednesday banned all open flames and fires at state parks until further notice.

The forecast does not provide much drought relief in sight with sunny, dry and more seasonable temperatures expected this weekend with highs in the 50s both Saturday and Sunday.

After another chance of light rain Monday night, temperatures will rise once again next week with forecast highs in the 60s on Tuesday and near 75 with a strong westerly wind on Wednesday.

(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.)