Breakheart Reservation Fires Burned 12-20 Acres: DCR

SAUGUS, MA — A series of brush fires in the Breakheart Reservation in Saugus burned between 12 and 20 acres on Tuesday night, according to preliminary estimates from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Crews were still mapping the area as of 11 a.m., however, to assess total damages, a DCR spokesperson said.

The reservation, which was closed to the public as fires broke out, initially reopened. It closed again on Wednesday afternoon though and is now facing "intermittent closures," according to the DCR.

READ MORE: 'Intermittent Closures' At Breakheart As Fire Conditions Linger

Crews responded around 6 p.m. on Tuesday after reports of smoke at the reservation, which includes portions of Saugus and Wakefield.

Saugus firefighters eventually drew mutual aid from area fire departments. State Police also helped evacuate the reservation while using a helicopter to locate fires and hot spots, according to a tweet.

Crews ended up responding to five different fires within the reservation, WCVB reported, leading fire officials to consider the incidents “suspicious.”

Smoke could be seen rising across the region, with community members miles from the fires themselves reporting the smell of smoke on Tuesday night.

Spreading quickly, these fires came amid warnings from fire and weather officials about severe drought conditions across the region.

Agencies have been responding to upticks in brush fires in particular this summer as parched landscapes have ignited and, at times, continued to smolder through lengthy fire responses.