Emergency crews are still working to bring numerous wildfires under control across Massachusetts. One of the biggest events occurred in Salem, where a large fire has been burning for days.

The hillside directly on Highland Avenue near Walmart was engulfed in flames on Monday morning. The fire department arrived and was able to quickly extinguish the flames.

The problem is that the undergrowth remains dry, there is still a breeze, and since the fire is burning in the ground and there are more than 80 hectares burning in this fire alone, it is difficult to put it out completely.

In fact, several wildfires burned across the state over the weekend – from Millbury, where one person died in a brush fire at a camp, to here in Salem. And with no rain in the forecast, the concern is that fires like the one in Salem will simply continue to burn.

Because access to the extensive fire is limited, responders must essentially contain it and move firefighting equipment to extinguish flames and hot spots as they approach homes or businesses.

Meanwhile, a bushfire continues to burn near the reservoir in Middleton. The concern in this community was the proximity to the power lines on Upton Hills Road.

In Beverly, a brush fire burned near some shopping centers, sending thick smoke all around.

And in Canton, there was a wildfire behind the Massachusetts Hospital School.

Firefighters say there is an increased risk everywhere due to the extreme dryness.

“It’s a lot of brush,” Salem Fire Chief Alan Dionne said. “We haven’t burned anything here in about 15 years, and every fire we have in the area removes some of the fuel, but that’s how it is. It’s been a long time, so there’s a lot of fuel on the ground , and mostly right on the ground, on the trees, on the branches – mostly things like that, but nothing up in the canopy.”

“It makes me nervous because I’ve been hearing about the red flags for the last few weeks, it’s been kind of scary,” said Betsey Cassidy, who lives near the bushfires.

The flames continue to burn in the woods of Salem, leaving a cloud of smoke that can be seen and smelled for miles. And obviously the timing of this massive bushfire isn’t ideal, with thousands descending on the area for Halloween on Thursday.