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SPENCER – Fire Chief Robert Parsons is reminding all residents that there is a burning ban in Spencer in the wake of 100+ brush fires in the state over the past week burning more than 600 acres.
The decision was made following a recommendation from the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts for all cities and towns in the Commonwealth.
It has taken several days to control a fire spreading just under 10 acres on South Spencer Road with continued testing of hot spots into Monday.
“Please help us to help the community,” Parsons said in a phone interview.
He noted that with coverage help from Auburn, the fire districts responded to six outside fires over the weekend. The fires were the result of (illegally) burning leaves, trash and building debris.
“This is not open burning season,” Parsons said, “and burning leaves, trash, etc. is illegal all of the time.”
Parsons noted the combination of extremely dry conditions and heavy winds has resulted in fast-moving, large-scale fires going deep down 20 to 24 inches into layers of soil, making them difficult to treat and “spanning multiple days at a time.”
“There is no rain in sight for the next 10 days,” Parsons added. High temperatures in the 70s along with wind gusts are expected, making for potentially dangerous conditions to persist.
Despite news and social media warnings regarding the situation, Parsons is puzzled and very concerned as to why residents are not heeding safety warnings and continuing to burn.
The department sent out a reverse 911 call and has posted social media messages to appeal to residents not to have open air fires of any kind until weather conditions change. This ban includes fire pits, chimineas, charcoal, etc.
Parsons noted that communities across the state are dealing with this issue and the district’s brush resources are “stretched very thin.”
He said that Holden has been fighting a six-acre fire for a week.
“It only takes seconds for fires to get out of control,” he said.
Parsons said that regular open burning season (for certain materials) begins Jan. 15 and runs only through May 1. Spring is usually the most active time of year; however, this fall has been brutal.
“I have not seen it this bad in the fall in forever,” Parsons said. “It’s usually spring that has us running ragged this way.”
Parsons said the state fire marshal is the entity with the authority to investigate illegal burning. From there, it goes to the district attorney’s office.
“What is going on is really out of hand,” Parsons said. “I’m asking people to please use their heads.”
