GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith and the Gloucester Fire Department remind residents that outdoor burning is prohibited and that there is an extremely high wildfire risk across the state. Chief Smith thanks the community for taking the necessary precautions, using practical judgment, and for their cooperation with these longstanding restrictions.
Outdoor fires associated with fire pits, chimineas, outdoor fireplaces, and cooking are strongly discouraged.
Due to the elevated risks of wildfires and fire spreading, any resident or community member who does not adhere to these guidelines, including any fire that poses a hazard to person or property, will be issued a ticket for unsafe operation of a fire. This includes any cooking fire that becomes unsafe or uncontrollable, as described in City ordinances.
Wildfires and brush fires have been rampant in Massachusetts due to the changing weather and environmental factors. These statewide weather conditions place all Massachusetts communities at an elevated risk for brush fires.
As a reminder, open burning is prohibited this time of year. Open burning season is from Jan. 15 through May 1. It is illegal to conduct open burning in Massachusetts outside of the designated open burning schedule.
The National Weather Service is issuing regular fire advisories and on Friday issued a red flag warning. This warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or may develop, meaning any fires that ignite could spread rapidly and be difficult to extinguish.
In Massachusetts, an average of 15 wildland fires are reported each October, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS). This year, the month’s total capped at about 200 – an increase of about 1,200 percent over the average. Of these fires, 100 were reported over the last seven days, and preliminary information indicates that all of them started with human activity.
Gloucester Fire would like to share the following safety tips from the Massachusetts DFS with residents and community members as fire conditions across the state should be monitored closely:
- Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
- A trusted adult must be present before, during, and after a cooking fire.
- Do not use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to burn brush, trash, or other waste.
- Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris.
- Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. The engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass.
- Properly dispose of ashes or coals from fireplaces, wood stoves, or grills in a metal can, douse it with water, and secure it with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to reignite and cause a fire.
- Residents and community members should follow instructions from local safety officials.
“I would like to thank our residents and community members for adhering to these regulations and restrictions as we work to combat the spread of brush and wildfires across the state,” said Chief Smith.
