National Guard helicopter dropping water on brush fire in Breakheart Reservation
SAUGUS – The Massachusetts National Guard is using a helicopter to drop water onto the brush fire that continues to burn at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus.
Boaters were asked to stay off of Sluice Pond in Lynn from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The pond was being used as a filling base for members of the National Guard.
Firefighters said the helicopter was necessary due to "property concerns" caused by the fire, which has been burning for around a week.
A brush fire has also been burning in nearby Lynn Woods, but Sunday's airdrops are not related to that fire and officials said there is no threat to property in Lynn.
"They are using water drops from helicopters today [in Saugus]," said Lynn Fire Chief Stephen Archer. "We have not had to do that yet. In their case, they're dealing with fire that is now threatening homes and properties."
Archer said, "this is the most extensive brush fire I've seen here in Lynn Woods in my career here."
A total of 26 acres have been burned in the Lynn Woods Reservation.
It's unclear what started the fire.
"One of the things that makes this fire look a little suspicious is the fact that we are dealing with so many different, separate areas of burn," said Archer. "This is obviously fires that need to be taken a good look at."
The reservation is closed at this time.
Breakheart Reservation will remain closed until Wednesday.