Gov. Charlie Baker has activated the National Guard to answer a wildfire in Rockport, as drought circumstances proceed to worsen throughout the Bay State amid a particularly dry summer season.
The Massachusetts National Guard members will assist put out hotspots throughout the containment space of the Briarwood Fire, which has been burning for one month throughout 19 acres.
Baker’s order for the National Guard has freed up 30 specially-trained service personnel to help native first responders, because the Briarwood Fire continues to smolder above and under floor.
“To protect residents and visitors, state and local officials have established a delineated containment area which members of the National Guard will support as part of the mission,” the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security stated in an announcement.
The Briarwood Fire is one in all greater than 800 wildfires reported this yr within the Bay State. The greater than 800 wildfires have burned a mixed 1,248 acres, in accordance with the Department of Conservation and Recreation Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry.
The “extreme” and “severe” drought circumstances throughout Massachusetts have continued to worsen within the final week, in accordance with Thursday’s replace from the U.S. Drought Monitor. The mixture of little rain and depraved scorching temps has led to a brutal drought this summer season.
Nearly 40% of the state is now dealing with an excessive drought, up from 25% of the state final week. The excessive drought counties embrace Suffolk County, Norfolk County, Middlesex County, Essex County, and Bristol County.
Meanwhile, nearly 95% of Massachusetts is now in a extreme drought, a significant leap from 55% final week. Unfortunately, not a lot rain is within the forecast for the approaching days.
“In New England, where dryness has been intensifying rapidly, only a few tenths of an inch of rain are forecast in the areas of moderate to extreme drought along and near the I-95 corridor,” the U.S. Drought Monitor wrote in its weekly report.
In mild of the drought circumstances throughout the state, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is urging residents to take precautions round any outside actions that enhance the danger of brush and forest fires — similar to grilling, tenting, smoking, and utilizing energy tools that may attain excessive temperatures, similar to lawnmowers and ATVs.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”