Officials warn of brush fires, halt permits

Firefighters are praying for a soaking rain and asking the public to use extra caution as sunny, dry weather and gusty winds have forest and brush fire dangers at the highest warning level throughout Massachusetts and most of New Hampshire.

The National Weather Service declared red flag, or class 5, forest fire warnings throughout the local area yesterday. A class 5 classification indicates fire danger is extreme, meaning small fires can spread very rapidly, producing a dangerous fire very difficult to stop.

Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal's office, said Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Chief Fire Warden David Celino are providing advice and guidance to local fire officials, strongly urging them not to issue any outdoor burn permits or activate those already issued, a suggestion being heeded in most local municipalities.

"April is the cruelest month when it comes to brush fires," Mieth said yesterday. "Historically, there are twice as many brush fires in April as in any other month. April's when the snow pack recedes but before new (vegetation) growth greens up. With the warm weather, low humidity and lack of rain, the danger of brush fires is very high. People need to be very, very careful."

When contacted yesterday, fire officials in Newburyport, Amesbury, Newbury, Salisbury, Georgetown and Seabrook said no outdoor burn permits were being issued in their communities for anyone wanting to burn yard brush or leaves.

Burning is typically allowed through April 30 for people doing spring yard cleanups, but without a soaking rain, they may have to wait until fall. Even those with issued seasonal permits are being told not to burn when they make the mandatory call to fire officials. The region has seen just more than an inch of rain for the entire month.

Amesbury, Seabrook and Salisbury have had to fight outdoor brush fires during this dry spell, although they've been able to contain them with no loss of life, private property or injury to date.

Fire officials are stressing the need for people to be aware of the dangers, saying it's often individual negligence than can result in acres of scorched earth, or worse.

Salisbury fire Chief Rick Souliotis said a brush fire at the gravel pit on Lafayette Road last week was probably caused by kids, which has been a problem at the site in the past. The fire quickly spread into Seabrook, encompassing about 10 acres, according to Seabrook fire Chief Jeff Brown.

Souliotis said the fire was probably sparked from a cigarette being tossed on the dry ground as kids drove by on an ATV. In the spring, when the weather gets warm and people go out to enjoy the outdoors after being cooped up all winter, many people don't realize the danger a cigarette, match or spark can cause.

At the same time as the gravel pit fire, Salisbury had a second outdoor fire in a log pile at the corner of routes 286 and 1 caused by the careless handling of gasoline. The combination forced Salisbury to split its firefighting resources to the two potentially dangerous outdoor fires.

Souliotis said the salt marshes in the region's coastal towns are often the most vulnerable.

"It's the phragmites in salt marshes that make marsh fires so dangerous," Souliotis said. "Phragmites are tall reeds and are dry all year round. Once a fire starts there, it can move very fast."

On Wednesday, Amesbury addressed a small brush fire at the gravel pit known as the Stone Crusher, off Clinton Street.

According to Amesbury fire Lt. Scott Cloutier, again the fire may have been cause by kids and carelessness. Cloutier said firefighters were able to put the fire out before it got out of hand, but such fires are very hard to battle on sunny, dry, windy days.

"Brush fires are real tough," Cloutier said. "The wind can take them, and if they're in a forest area, it's hard to get water to them. And they continue to burn underground."

Because the fires are often difficult to reach, one fire can stress many local fire departments.

Last week, multiple departments were called in to battle the brush blaze in Salisbury and Seabrook. Amesbury and Hampton provided station coverage, while South Hampton and Hampton Falls were called to help battle the fire, Brown said.

Brown said no hydrant was nearby, so firefighters had to lay in more than 600 feet of heavy hose by hand to get water to the fire.

"Brush fires are labor intensive, and it can be brutal and exhausting fighting them," Brown said. "With a structure fire, you stop and contain it, but with a brush fire, you chase it because the wind spreads them. And then, you think you've got it out, but because it can burn underground, it can pop a few hours later or even the next day."

Brown said what's needed is a full day of soaking rains, not just a quick thunderstorm. Higher humidity and lower winds would also help, he said.

r Get a permit for burning brush from local fire departments and follow safety guidelines.

r Never throw cigarettes or smoking materials out of car windows or discard them outdoors.

r Many brush fires are started by sparks caused by fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts.

Photos

Salisbury firefighter David Doyle attacks a brush fire on the east side of Route 1 near Architectural Fence Plus yesterday afternoon. The fire was close to "the pit" where Salisbury and Seabrook firefighters fought a blaze last week. Staff photo