Drought Levels in Massachusetts Increase Wildfire Risk

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(TNS) – The state declared Wednesday a significant drought in western Massachusetts and critical conditions in Cape Cod as the risk of wildfires increases due to continued dry weather.

“Massachusetts continues to experience drought conditions in all regions of the state, which is not only depleting public water supplies, but is also elevating the risk of wildland fires,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card, who made the call to upgrade the drought severity levels out west, on the Cape, and on the state’s islands.

Drought levels are based on a tiered system that starts at level one, or mild drought, and tops off with level four, or emergency drought. Members of the state’s Drought Management Task Force recommended Card put in place new severity levels Tuesday, and now five out of the seven drought regions officials track are at “critical” levels.

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Acting Director Dawn Brantley said drought conditions are being felt through the state, from damaging wildfires to dry riverbeds and wells. Departments across Eastern Massachusetts have reported fighting brush fires this month, and smoke has started to impact neighboring communities.

At Tuesday’s task force meeting, Department of Conservation and Recreation Chief Forest Fire Warden Dave Celino said there have already been 97 wildfires to date this month, including two of the largest at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus and on the Marlborough- Sudbury town line.

“The fire activity follows that extreme or severe drought condition right up there through the eastern part of the state,” he said. “But you’re also seeing even some activity in the western part of the state, even in the Berkshires now we’re starting to see small fires.”

Brantley said recent rains help but will not end the drought.

“It is more important than ever to prevent wildfires and for residents to conserve water in our day-to-day activities,” Brantley said.

There are 12 wildfires that are active and “require daily mop-up and monitoring,” the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said. Dry conditions have also extended this year’s fire season and led to over 840 wildfires that burned approximately 1,432 acres of land.

DCR implemented a temporary ban on all open flame and charcoal fires within state parks. Small portable propane grills are still allowed at campgrounds and recreation areas where grilling is permitted.

From Aug. 1 to Aug. 22, rainfall totals primarily ranged between half an inch to 1 inch across the state, with a handful of higher and lower localized totals. State officials said rainfall numbers are trending below average for the month.

“The Cape Cod, Islands, and Western Regions of the state were most impacted by the lack of precipitation,” EEA said. “Additionally, since the onset of the drought, regions are experiencing between a four and ten-inch deficit in precipitation. Streamflow has also been the most affected index with extreme low flows all across the state, where dry streambeds, increased ponding, higher temperatures in rivers, and increased nutrients and algal blooms are occurring.”

Residents living in regions with a “critical” drought must stop all non-essential outdoor watering and minimize overall water use. Communities must implement water use restrictions, enforce those restrictions “with increasingly stringent penalties,” and put in place water-use reduction targets.

Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg said the need for water conservation “has never been greater.”

“Citizens are again encouraged to conserve water and follow the conservation measures established by their local water suppliers,” Suuberg said.