Dry weather and wind are burning dozens of hectares of brush fires in Massachusetts

SALEM. Firefighters were on the scene in Salem, Massachusetts, on Sunday when several brush fires spread across dozens of acres and came close to some homes.

More than 100 hectares

“It’s a big area and it’s the hardest area to get to,” said Salem Fire Chief Alan Dionne. According to him, on Saturday after 19:00 the fire department started receiving calls about bush fires.

“We have four different fires that are kind of surrounding the neighborhood in this area, and Lynn has some on their side. They covered about 100 acres and are still burning freely,” Dionne said.

Dionne said the fires are difficult to fight because the terrain between Salem, Peabody and Lynn is very isolated and rocky.

“The flames were pretty high”

Residents living in the Highland condominium complex were worried they might have to evacuate after several fires broke out behind their homes.

“The flames were pretty high,” Joe Aloise said. “I’ve been here over 20 years and this is the first time it’s even come close to the lawn in our backyard.”

At a nearby Walmart, shoppers covered their faces from the smoke. The brush fires are not far from downtown Salem and are not affecting Haunted Happenings just days after Halloween.

“We can smell it pretty far away,” Nancy Tebow said. “I’m having trouble breathing, so I really should wear a mask.”

Using drone technology, firefighters can detect strong areas of burning. The National Guard was also called in to help with the airborne landing.

“They really can’t water them, so it’s just hard work with shovels and then rakes,” Dionne said. “When it smolders overnight and then gets fresh air and a breeze in the morning, especially if there’s a change in the wind, then it can flare up again.”

“I have asthma, so it was pretty tough,” Jeff Black said. “I hope it ends soon and they can get things under control.”

No one was injured and no structural damage was reported. Fire officials said residents can expect smoke to continue overnight.