One woman died in brush fires in Massachusetts

A woman died in one of at least two wildfires that broke out in Massachusetts cities on Saturday as drought conditions worsened in the state.

In Millbury, a small bush fire in the camp resulted in death woman, whose identity has not been released, according to firefighters. Massachusetts State Police say that around 8:20 p.m., a trooper responded to a report of a small fire near the Blackstone River bike path near Highway 146. After finding the victim at a nearby campsite, he contacted the Millbury Fire Department, who fully extinguished the fire.

The woman died at the scene. The cause of the fire is being established.

In Salem, another fire broke out outside the Walmart on Highland Avenue, between Kane Road and Old Village Drive in Salem. Photos and videos shared on social media showed smoke covering the sky and a long line of bushes.

The Salem Fire Department is still working to extinguish the brush fire. City officials urged residents to avoid nearby areas in a statement Sunday morning.

Both fires come while the state is under a Red Flag Warning — any outdoor fire can spread quickly and be difficult to put out — and continues to experience an elevated fire risk. Recently, drought conditions in New England has deterioratedcreating a greater risk of brush fires in a windy region.

“New England isn’t really known for droughts. We’ve seen them sometimes,” said Ken Mahan, the Globe’s chief meteorologist. “It’s not exactly uncommon, but it’s unique at this point because August, September, October, you name it, are some of the wettest months in New England history, and it’s been the complete opposite for the last 90 days.”

He says more than 85 percent of New England is abnormally dry and 20 percent is in moderate drought, which has led to problems over the past couple of weeks.

“Drought may be less of a concern in the fall because the growing season is over and there is usually less heat and evaporation to exacerbate dry conditions,” Jessica Spacchio, a climatologist with the Northeast Regional Climate Center, told the Globe. “However, dry conditions can still contribute to low water levels needed for drinking water, crop planting and fire problems.”

Steph Ware can be reached at [email protected].