Did rain put out the wildfires in Massachusetts? Here's what fire officials are saying.
BOXFORD - Massachusetts finally got some long-awaited rain on Thursday, but was it enough to douse the wildfires that have been burning for weeks in the state?
Here's a look at what local fire departments and state fire officials are saying about where firefighting efforts stand.
No new fires reported in Massachusetts
The good news is that no new fires were reported on Thursday, according to the wildfire activity report by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. That will hopefully continue with rain chances in the forecast again on Friday and Saturday.
"The precipitation will mean a couple days without new fires starting," the report said. "Once the precipitation stops and surface fuels dry out again the chances for new starts will increase."
"Deep burning fires" not doused by rain
While the rain may help prevent new fires for a while, it did not appear to be enough to put out fires that have been burning deep into the ground, aided by weeks of severe drought.
"The existing deep burning fires will continue to hold heat and will not be extinguished by this event," DCR said.
In the Boxford State Forest on Thursday, crews were out in the wet weather digging out hotspots on the trails. The fire has burned more than 500 acres, and a video posted by the Boxford Fire Department showed the ground was still smoldering despite the rain.
"The early morning rain wet down the surface material but did little to suppress the fire that is slowly burning deep in the ground," the department wrote Thursday night. "It is unclear how the heavier rain we have received since this afternoon will affect the deep burning fire."
The department also warned that the deep burning fire is causing many trees in the forest to fall. The public is being asked to stay out of the woods for now.
Great Barrington fire
The Butternut Fire in Great Barrington is the largest wildfire in the state, burning 1,338 acres. The fire department said that the fire hasn't gotten any bigger, but there are still several hot spots.
"Despite the rain, smoke from this fire will continue to affect air quality," fire department spokesperson Lt. Brian Mead said.
The department says "conditions are still extremely dry," but crews will work to bring the fire under containment on Friday.
Towns in Massachusetts declare brush fire state of emergency
Boxford, Danvers, Middleton, North Andover and North Reading declared a state of emergency on Friday because of the brush fires. The communities said they've collectively seen more than 500 acres burn this month.
"Not only are we facing increased staffing costs due to the time needed to combat these fires, but we have pieces of equipment, like hoses, and rolling stock that have been damaged in the woods and are now out of commission," North Andover town manager Melissa Rodrigues said in a statement. "The state of emergency will aid us in getting things repaired and redeployed in a timely manner so that our firefighters have the resources they need."
