Brush fires continue to be a threat as dry and windy conditions are once again in the forecast. The National Weather Service had Red Flag Warnings in place yesterday as conditions were prime for brush fires to erupt. Dry conditions, gusty winds, low humidity and warming temperatures will all play a part for a continuation of fire threats for the next few days. The bottom line is we need a soaking rain.
Since March 20th Boston’s Logan Airport has only recorded about one-third of an inch of rain. Although we had a significant amount of snow the first three weeks of March it has been very dry since. There have been many days with gusty winds which helps to dry out the brush once the winter snow cover has melted.
According to meteorologist Bill Simpson of the National Weather Service yesterdays Red Flag Warning was the first issued this year. He expects additional warnings to be issued, especially Monday and Tuesday, as conditions become prime for wild fire development.
Firefighters in Saugus had a tough go of it on Saturday as several brush fires broke out. One fire came very close to a few homes as the gusty winds quickly spread the fire through the marsh grass in east Saugus. On Shore Road one house was in fact engulfed in flames, as reported by Saugus Fire Captain Mike Newbury. The fire actually moved uphill from a brushy area igniting the home. Luckily nobody was hurt. This writer witnessed some of those fires first hand and it is of great concern to the homeowners right along the marshy areas of east Saugus that at any time one of these fires could spread quick enough and engulf some of the adjacent properties. Said one Saugus firefighter, we need rain badly to end this threat.
Firefighters were called to the Fenway area of Boston on Friday to knock down brush fires in that location of the city. It took crews about 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.
Out in the western part of the state Dennis Foley of the West Springfield Fire Department said that outdoor burning is prohibited. Foley said that risks are greatest for several weeks after the winter snow has melted and before the April showers set in. It is a time when all the dry leaves, twigs and other small brush elements can help spread fire with the windy conditions. He recommends that homeowners clean out dry leaves from around their property so any fire potential is decreased significantly.
What are the prime conditions needed for brush fires to develop and the National Weather Service to consider raising a Red Flag Warning? Lack of any significant rainfall, very low humidity, usually under 25%, gusty winds lead to dry conditions that in turn can lead to light brush being ignited such as leaves, twigs and grasses. Warming temperatures are also a factor.
The weather outlook for the coming days is for warming temperatures, gusty winds, low humidity and very little chance of any rain. It may not be until late this week that we have an opportunity for beneficial rain.
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