As drought circumstances intensify and firefighters battle wildfires throughout Massachusetts, officers are warning that the area will proceed to face elevated hearth climate considerations till useful rain arrives.
There’s an opportunity, thankfully, that some desperately wanted rain could possibly be on the way in which to the Bay State to start out the week.
The National Weather Service is predicting {that a} entrance shifting into the area on Monday may carry with it some showers and thunderstorms.
“There’s a chance we could see some heavy rain with that,” Kyle Pederson, meteorologist on the National Weather Service’s Boston workplace, informed the Herald on Sunday.
“That would definitely be good if we get that,” he added, noting the intense drought circumstances across the area. “Hopefully we get some good rain. A half an inch (of rain) would be great to help alleviate some fire weather concerns.”
The National Weather Service put out an alert on Sunday for elevated hearth climate considerations, warning that these hearth considerations will proceed till the area receives wetting rains. Any hearth that ignites can simply and quickly unfold in these circumstances.
Hundreds of wildfires have been reported throughout the state this yr, together with at Saugus’ Breakheart Reservation the place a Massachusetts Air National Guard helicopter airdropped water onto a brush hearth on Sunday. The helicopter was choosing up water from Sluice Pond in Lynn, and attempting to extinguish the comb hearth that has been burning since Tuesday.
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker activated the National Guard to answer a wildfire in Rockport. The National Guard members helped put out hotspots inside the containment space of the Briarwood Fire, which had been burning for one month throughout 19 acres.
Drought circumstances are persevering with to worsen amid an especially dry summer time. Boston has recorded solely 3.22 inches of rain since June 1, which is greater than 6 inches beneath regular for this time of yr.
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.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”