Enterprise

Have you heard about the wildfires in Eastern Mass. affected?

Idris Bevan October 28, 2024

Tell us

According to the National Weather Service, many wildfires broke out over the weekend, with the largest consuming more than 100 acres in Salem.

A firefighter extinguished a brush fire in Salem on October 28, 2024.

Multiple wildfires broke out in eastern Massachusetts over the weekend, spreading haze and a strong smell of smoke to the region Monday morning.

Smell smoke? Forecasters predict “trapped” wildfire smoke in Eastern Mass. is to blame.

There are 47 active wildfires reported statewide, including 18 in the past 24 hours, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services said in a statement Monday.

Local and state officials are urging residents to use extra caution around open flames or other outdoor heat sources.

“The dry, sunny and windy weather is great for relaxing, but it also means that an outdoor fire spreads quickly and is very difficult to combat,” State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said in the statement. “We see that preventable fires are reaching dangerous proportions and consuming numerous resources at local and regional levels.”

According to the Lynn Fire Department, a brush fire broke out Saturday evening in Salem near Spring Pond and Highland Avenue. Air National Guard helicopters dropped water drops in Salem on Sunday to try to put out the fire, the city of Salem said in a post

Please note that a National Guard helicopter will be operating near Highland Avenue this afternoon as part of the ongoing firefighting effort in the area.

Continue to avoid the wooded, affected area while first responders work to extinguish the fire. pic.twitter.com/ha8gtovBc2

– City of Salem MA (@CityofSalemMA) October 27, 2024

An outdoor fire claimed the life of a woman in Millbury Saturday evening. According to Millbury officials, the fire remains under investigation.

The National Weather Service issued an advisory for all of southern New England Friday evening for very dry conditions and gusty northwest winds that “will result in rapid spread of the fires.”

A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for all of southern New England. Very dry conditions and gusty northwest winds will cause fires to spread quickly if they break out. Burning outdoors is not recommended. pic.twitter.com/NBWwoU3nY3

– NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) October 26, 2024

NWS Boston said a “surface inversion” is keeping the smoke near the ground, but the smoke is expected to “mix” later Monday morning.

(Fire Wx) Did you wake up to the smell of smoke this morning, SNE? Numerous wildfires broke out over the weekend, with the largest wildfire ravaging more than 100 acres in Salem, Massachusetts.

A surface inversion will hold this smoke near the ground, but the smoke should “mix” as the morning progresses. pic.twitter.com/XpGTHX31i5

– NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) October 28, 2024

Many Greater Boston residents and journalists shared their photos and videos of the smog and campfire smell on social media over the weekend and Monday morning.

Were you affected by the bushfires?

Let us know how you were affected and share your photos by filling out the form or emailing us at (email protected)and your response may appear in a future Boston.com article.