10-29-2024 12:48am

Canton, Norwood Fire Departments Battle Brush Fire for Second Day in Canton

Darlene Cancell Editor

Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Norwood Fire Department responded to a call of mutual aid for a brush fire near the Canton Reservoir in Canton.

A number of Westwood and Norwood residents have noticed a burnt smell in the air on Monday, October 28, 2024, and local brush fires, including one in Canton, may be to blame. Just two days prior, on Saturday, October 26th, a red flag warning was declared across the entire state of Massachusetts, indicating critical fire weather for most of that day.

"Along with Canton['s] brush fire, over the past few days there has been extensive brushfires located in multiple locations in Metro Boston and North Shore area. Some of the odor is drifting into the Norwood area," said Norwood Firefighters Local 1631 on its Facebook account.

On Monday, firefighters in Canton battled their second day of working an "extensive brush fire" behind Massachusetts Hospital School Foundation at Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. Canton Fire Department requested mutual aid. Assisting in the response at 3 Randolph Street were Norwood, Sharon, and Randolph fire departments and the State Fire Marshall's Drone Unit.

Around noon on Monday, Canton Firefighters IAFF Local 1580 reported that remaining fires at the hospital were being extinguished and that firefighters were wetting down hot spots and working with the State Fire Marshall's Office Drone Unit to locate pockets of fire.

Also on Monday, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) reported 47 active brush fires across the state. DFS said, "Weather conditions statewide place all Massachusetts communities at elevated risk of brush fires."

“The dry, sunny, breezy weather is great for recreation, but it also means that any outdoor fire will spread quickly and become very difficult to manage,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “We’re seeing preventable fires growing to dangerous sizes and drawing numerous resources, locally and regionally.”

DFS asks Massachusetts residents to take precautions during current weather conditions where dry leaves, dead vegetation and other fuel sources are extremely receptive to ignition. Residents should be cautious with any open flame or heat source outdoors.

Officials ask that residents keep the following in mind:

Remember that open burning is prohibited statewide through January;

Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating to avoid sparks and embers easily igniting dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches;

Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment, which can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass.

Dispose of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in a metal can, douse them with water, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid, to avoid igniting combustibles. Never dump them outdoors or in the trash.

Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris.