Governor Healey Thanks Firefighters, Asks Public to Do
Their Part to Contain Fire Risk
MIDDLETON – Governor Maura Healey visited the
Middleton Fire Department today to thank firefighters and first responders who
have been working to contain brush fires in the area and across the state over
the past few weeks. More than 450 fires have burned over 1,500 acres since
October 1 in Massachusetts, including two ongoing fires in Middleton, and air
quality continues to be affected in many communities.
Multiple fires remain active and have proved difficult to
contain due to extremely low rainfall in the region over the last two months.
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has declared
drought conditions affecting nearly the entire state. The National Weather
Service under guidance from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
has issued a red flag warning for all of Massachusetts due to this critical
fire weather pattern. Groundwater levels in many regions are declining, which
means that the lakes and ponds that firefighters use to fight many of these
fires are providing less water to work with, underscoring the need to conserve.
“Massachusetts is experiencing a historic drought, which is
resulting in brush fires across the state. I’m grateful to the firefighters and
first responders who have been working hard, day in and day out, to keep their
communities safe. We appreciate the immense effort and sacrifice they are
putting in, and the risks they are facing," said Governor Healey.
“Drought conditions and wildfire risks are ongoing. There are steps everyone
can take to minimize risk, protect their communities, conserve water and
support our firefighters. Residents, businesses and facilities should minimize
their water use as much as possible, and there should be no outdoor fires at
this time. Our firefighters are working hard and making considerable sacrifices
to battle these fires on our behalf. Let’s do all we can to avoid making their
jobs any harder.”
“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities safe
during these challenging circumstances,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim
Driscoll. “The best way that we can thank the first responders who are
battling these fires is to do our part not to contribute to them. That means no
fire pits, outdoor grilling or anything that could send sparks into the air.
We’re going to get through this, together, and the state is here to be a
partner and provide additional support.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been providing
emergency services, coordination assistance, and resources through the
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Department of Conservation
and Recreation (DCR), Department of Fire Services (DFS), the State Police, the
National Guard, Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Department of
Public Health (DPH), and the Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The Department of Fire Services is supporting local fire
departments with rehab units for firefighter health and safety; Incident
Support Units that offer communications, conferencing, and mapping capabilities
in the field; drones and pilots to provide incident commanders with traditional
and thermal imagery from the air and assist in resource deployment; and
off-road vehicles to move personnel in remote areas. DFS has also provided
local fire chiefs with Fire Code citations to support local outdoor fire bans
and associated public education messaging. The Statewide Fire Mobilization Plan
is coordinating delivery of firefighters and apparatus from across the state so
that local departments and mutual aid aren’t overwhelmed by large-scale,
long-term incidents.
MEMA is working daily with DFS, DCR, MA National Guard, and
the Executive Office of Public Safety on state agency coordination, to ensure
support of communities battling wildfires, including water drop missions.
MEMA’s dispatchers have processed 16 mobilization requests of the State Fire
and EMS Mobilization Plan, to augment mutual aid in impacted areas when
requested. MEMA’s Mobile Emergency Operations Center has been deployed as the
unified command post in Middleton since October 28th and the
agency’s Local Coordinators have provided on-scene support in multiple
communities and continue to assist with logistics and other coordination needs
as they arise in cities and towns across the state.
DCR’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control is assisting local fire
departments across the state with response, tactical, strategic planning.
managing and monitoring of all active wildfires. DCR wildland firefighters and
fire control staff are providing fire detection support and mapping from DCR
Fire Towers and supporting on the ground firefighting. DCR is also
collaborating with neighboring state fire managers and Region 9 U.S. Forest
Service staff on fire advisory, available resources and situational awareness. DCR
has requested assistance in fighting the state’s ongoing wildfires through the
Northeast Compact, and as a result, firefighters from New Hampshire and Maine
have responded to provide assistance. DCR has also issued a temporary ban of all open flame and charcoal fires within
state park properties.
"We owe our deepest gratitude to the many brave
firefighters and first responders who are confronting challenging conditions to
protect our communities from the dangers of wildfire," said Public
Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. "As they work to
safeguard our people, property and natural resources, we ask every resident to
join in by doing all we can to prevent new fire risks. By taking simple
precautions, we can make a meaningful difference to support those who are on the
front lines."
“The alarming increase in wildfire activity is precisely why
the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and agencies like DFS, DCR, and MEMA have
all issued strong recommendations for the public and industry to avoid any
outdoor activities involving fire or anything that could create sparks. But
despite these warnings, we continue to see fires started by human
activity—including campfires, backyard fires, and equipment that produces
sparks,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “While not every fire this
season is due to the result of people’s decisions, many are – so you can help
protect your family, your home, your community, and the responders on the front
lines.”
“In a drought, every small action counts. Clearing dry
plants, following fire safety rules, and using water wisely can help protect
our homes and the environment,” said Energy & Environmental Affairs
Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These simple changes not only safeguard your
home but also conserve valuable resources for the entire community.”
“Our DCR firefighters and Fire Control staff are working
around the clock to help our local communities detect, respond to and
effectively manage these record wildfires that are burning around our state,”
said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We are committed to doing
everything we can to protect the safety of our residents and our forests from
these wildfires. We want to remind families and residents visiting our parks
and campgrounds that we have a temporary ban on all open flame and charcoal
fires across the state park system.”
“We continue to be at a high risk for wildfires, with the
dry weather providing ample fuel for fires to spread quickly across
Massachusetts,” said DCR Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino. “As
firefighters, we are working tirelessly to contain these incidents, but we need
the public’s cooperation in helping reduce risks. We are cautioning residents
to remain vigilant and to remember that even small sparks can ignite a larger
fire in these dry conditions. Please do your part to conserve water, so our
firefighters have the resources they need to continue fighting these blazes and
protecting our communities and natural resources.”
“The Massachusetts National Guard has been committed to the
safety and security of the residents of the commonwealth for nearly four
centuries,” said Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General,
Massachusetts National Guard. “The soldiers who conducted the firefighting
missions personify the modern citizen-soldier. Earlier this year they were
performing their wartime mission in the middle east, flying transportation and
MEDEVAC missions, and in the past few weeks they have demonstrated their
invaluable domestic capabilities by responding to recent wildfires across the
state. ‘Always Ready, Aways There’ isn’t just a motto to us it is a solemn
pledge that whenever our state or nation needs us, we will be there to lend a
hand.”
"The duration and intensity of these fires, driven by
drought and wind conditions, has presented a major challenge for the first
responders that have had to confront them across many locations for extended
periods of time. They have met that challenge with extraordinary interagency
collaboration, resourcefulness and teamwork. The capabilities of the DCR
Bureau of Forest Fire Control and the Massachusetts State Police Drone Unit
have been instrumental in this effort,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce
Tarr (R-Gloucester). “While these professionals are working for long hours
day after day, there is a role for all of us to play as well. Being alert to
the dangerous conditions that persist, and simply avoiding actions that can
trigger additional fires are powerful things that all of us can do to support
their extraordinary efforts.”
“The wildfires that have been spreading across Massachusetts
require an all hands on deck response to contain the damage and protect against
the loss of life and property,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones,
Jr. (R-North Reading). “My thanks to the Middleton Fire Department and all
of the first responders throughout the state, including the National Guard, who
have been working around the clock to contain and extinguish these fires. As we
continue to experience severe drought conditions, I join in urging the
residents of the Commonwealth to remain vigilant and to do their part by
avoiding any activities that might contribute to the spread of these brush
fires so we can put this danger behind us.”
“The ongoing effort to successfully manage this fire across
170 acres is a phenomenal display of mutual aid and collaboration among Chief
LeColst and the Middleton Fire Department and several state agencies,” said State
Representative Sally Kerans (D-Danvers).
“Together, Middleton and the Commonwealth have prevented
these fires from reaching homes and structures, and we are grateful and
committed to continuing the necessary funding for the personnel and tools the
effort demands.”
"Middleton is proud of our first responders who are
fighting back threats in our own back yards. Municipalities do not have the
resources needed to grapple with the unfortunate realities of climate change.
It is critical that we work together to establish a proactive approach to these
new challenges,” said Middleton Town Administrator Justin Sultzbach. “We
appreciate the support of our surrounding communities, as well as our partners
on Beacon Hill who have stood beside us during this difficult time."
“For the past 17 days, members of the Middleton Fire
Department have been working alongside over 60 fire departments from across the
state to contain and extinguish over 240 acres of wildland fires. The
Department would like to thank state and local agencies who have assisted us
during these unprecedented times,” said Middleton Fire Chief Doug LeColst.
“Unfortunately, events like this are becoming too common and it is important
that residents follow the advice and warnings set forth by public safety
officials during this historic drought.”
About 45 percent of Massachusetts homes are in or near areas
at severe wildfire risk, meaning that any significant fire will put people and
property in danger. Because any outdoor fire will spread quickly and become
very difficult to control, local and state officials are asking residents to
follow these fire prevention tips:
- Remember
that burning yard waste is prohibited statewide from May 1 to January 15
and prohibited year-round in some communities.
- Refrain
from any outdoor cooking and heating activity, including those that
involve fire pits, solo stoves, chimineas, etc. Many cities and towns have
implemented temporary restrictions on any outdoor fires.
- Use
extra caution with lawn tractors, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and
other power equipment. Sparks, hot engines, and spilled gasoline can
ignite dead leaves, dry grass, and other combustibles.
- Dispose
of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in a metal can, douse them with
water, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot
enough to ignite combustibles long after the fire goes out: never dump
them outdoors or in the trash.
- Fully
extinguish all smoking materials in a heavy ashtray with water or sand.
Never discard cigarette butts, matches, or other materials over a porch
railing, out a car window, or into dry vegetation.
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