AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – As fire departments work to control brush fires burning across Massachusetts, residents are strongly urged to help prevent these fires. In addition to this, many communities are asking people not to burn anything at all outside to lower the risk.
“It is certainly one of the driest situations…and most hazardous situations I’ve seen in my career,” says Agawam Fire Chief Alan Sirois. Brush fires continue to burn hundreds of acres across the state.
As of Monday morning, some are close to being fully contained in western Massachusetts, and nearby in Worcester County. However, the Fire Chief in the town of Spencer says residents are not adhering to the burning ban to help prevent these fires. Spencer fire crews were called to 6 outside fires this past weekend from people burning leaves and trash.
The Agawam Fire Department has been assisting crews in Monson to control the brush fire there, caused by improper disposal of embers from a bucket of ashes. “They are being caused by just carelessness or negligence on the part of people burning in their backyard,” adds Chief Sirois. Agawam joins many other communities enforcing stricter outdoor burning restrictions.