Dry spell, wind fuel brush fires

Dozens of acres burn in Douglas, Holden, Boston

Boston firefighters battled a brush fire yesterday in a hilly, wooded area of Hyde Park near Reservation Road. On Friday, fires consumed about 50 acres throughout the state. (Justine Hunt/Globe Staff)

Firefighters were busy yesterday afternoon trying to douse several brush fires across the state that were sparked in part by recent dry weather conditions.

The blazes scorched acres of land in communities including Douglas, Holden, and Boston, according to fire officials.

"A number of fires across the state [yesterday] were permit fires that got out of control," said David Celino, chief forest fire warden in the Bureau of Fire Control of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. "What's been driving these fires is very, very low relative humidity - uncharacteristically low. Leaves, litter, and grasses are dried out, and those fuels can get a fire started with just a spark."

Nearly 30 acres burned in Douglas State Forest, where homes were threatened and helicopters were initially called to stop the flames. However, firefighters were able to gain control of the blaze and the helicopters were canceled, said Celino.

About 20 acres burned in Holden, and Boston firefighters battled for hours against a brush fire in a hilly, wooded area of Hyde Park near Reservation Road. The causes of yesterday's fires were undetermined, officials said.

"We had to drop several thousand feet of hose to have enough water supply to put out the fire," said Steve MacDonald, a Boston Fire Department spokesman.

On Friday there were 69 brush fires reported that consumed about 50 acres throughout the state, Celino said, adding that brush fires are common this time of year. Low humidity levels combined with little precipitation and increased winds help intensify the flames.

The last time the Boston area saw any precipitation was April 12 when between one-third and one-half inch of rain fell across the state, according to the National Weather Service in Taunton.

"What we still have are all the dead vegetation from the winter," said Frank Nocera, a meteorologist with the weather service. "Once things green up it's a little harder for fire to spread."

Nocera said the weather conditions that contribute to brush fires will continue to hold up this week. The relative humidity is expected to remain low and the area is expected to remain rain-free through Friday. However, the wind will not be strong enough for forecasters to issue a warning, Nocera said.

No injuries were reported in any of the fires, Celino said.