Wildfires across Massachusetts are burning through hundreds of land acres this fall

By Alyssa Buford

Since this fall, wildfires are spreading throughout Massachusetts, resulting in firefighter injuries, land destruction, and even droughts.

The latest wildfire in the Massachusetts area happened on Sunday in the Boxford State Forest. The fire covered about 125 acres of land, around the same amount of a fire that occurred last week in a similar area. Brian Geiger, Boxford’s Fire Chief, said that the fire was inside the forest, spreading throughout the Boxford, North Andover, and Middletown borders.

The National Weather service projects that dry weather as well as high gusts will expand across western and central Massachusetts, humidity and fallen leaves also a potential weather risk. According to Massachusetts DCR Bureau of Fire Control and Forestry, moderate fire activity has remained with two new fires breaking out over the weekend.

“Ongoing fires continue to be patrolled and monitored, and mop-up continues to strengthen holding lines,” DCR said. Some parts of the state have implemented burn bans, with DCR also stating that 37 fires and 22 acres of land have been burned within the past 24 hours as of Sunday night. In November, 392 fires were reported, and 769 acres were burned. In October, there were 212 fires, with 837 acres burned.