Dry, windy weather creates high chances for brush fires around the state

Despite all the rain we’ve been seeing in recent months, there’s a high chance for brush fires right now. Firefighters in several western Massachusetts communities have been busy battling brush fires just this week alone. “So this time of year, brushfires are definitely more present, even if it’s been a wet spring,” said Western Mass News First Alert Meteorologist Dan Brown. Firefighters in communities including Hampden, Palmer, and Monson have responded to brush fires in recent days. Brown told us a big misconception is that brush fires are less likely to occur during rainy spring seasons. “So it doesn’t matter how wet the spring was. It’s all about like what are the conditions like within the last six or 12 hours or even in the last couple of hours because if it dries out and the sun beating down the forest floor, a lot of leaves, a lot of twigs, things of that nature on the ground and the relative humidity fall, that can lead to those brush fires,” Brown explained.
Western Mass News

Company donates oximeters to Springfield Fire Department

VIDEO: A local company has donated vital medical equipment to the Springfield Fire Department. Eastman Chemical Co. based in Indian Orchard has been working with the Springfield Fire Department for many years now and once they heard the department didn’t have oximeters, they volunteered their help. Oximeters are essential for monitoring vital signs in emergency situations. “They actually measure your heartbeat and your oxygen level if you’re in an emergency case,” said Dennis Van Nevel, Site Manager at Eastman Chemical. For Eastman, this partnership with the Springfield Fire Department is nothing new. The two have had a partnership for many years now, and Van Nevel says they’ve been thinking about how to help out the department’s emergency response ever since they found a need for oximeters at a gathering of local neighborhood and community officials.
WWLP-TV NBC/CW+ 22 Springfield

Follow Up: Oily rags blamed after fire damages large Victorian home in Newton

A multi-alarm fire that damaged a large Victorian-style home in Newton, Massachusetts, earlier this week is being blamed on oily rags. The fire broke out late Wednesday morning at the unoccupied home at 8 Central Ave. in the city's Newtonville section. The home was undergoing renovations. Large flames and heavy smoke were seen coming from the upper floors of the white home, as fire crews used hoses from multiple ladder trucks to extinguish the flames. It took crews several hours to extinguish the fire. Investigators determined that the fire began near the top of a staircase on the second floor, where staining rags had been left in a trash bag the day before. “The oils in many paints, stains, and varnishes release heat as they dry,” said Newton Fire Chief Gregory J. Gentile.
WCVB-TV ABC 5 Boston

Fire breaks out in large Victorian home in Newton

VIDEO: Crews battled a multi-alarm fire in a large Victorian-style home in Newton, Massachusetts. The fire broke out late Wednesday morning at the home at 8 Central Ave. in the city's Newtonville section. From Sky 5, large flames and heavy smoke were seen coming from the upper floors of the white home, and fire crews used hoses from multiple ladder trucks to extinguish the flames. The home is located less than a block from a Newton Fire Station. Newton police said Crafts Street at Watertown Street and Central Avenue at Prescott Street were closed to traffic. According to real estate listings, the 4,777-square foot, seven-bedroom Queen Ann Victorian home was built in 1884 and last sold in 2021 for $1.5 million. From Sky5, it appears renovations are underway at the home. There was no immediate word on injuries or what may have started the fire.
WCVB-TV ABC 5 Boston

Tyngsborough police and fire respond to two-alarm structure fire

Police Chief Richard Howe and Fire Chief Wes Russell report that the Tyngsborough Police and Fire Departments responded Tuesday to a two-alarm structure fire on Long Pond Road. On Tuesday, April 23, at approximately 12:18 p.m., the Tyngsborough Police and Fire Departments were alerted to a fire in a shed at 63 Long Pond Road. Companies arrived to find heavy fire showing from an approximately eight- by 12-foot shed, with flames spreading to a nearby home. A second alarm was struck to bring more manpower to the scene. All occupants of the home were outside when firefighters arrived. Companies were able to quickly knock down fire on the outside of the home, and then entered the first floor to extinguish fire that extended to the roof of the home. Residents were displaced, and they are receiving care from the Red Cross of Massachusetts.
Newport Dispatch

Hampden crews respond to brush fire

Crews in Hampden responded to a brush fire on Wednesday evening on Somers Road. Officials told us when they first arrived to the scene, there was a large plume of smoke. Western Mass News spoke with Hampden Fire Chief Edward Poulin, who told us mutual aid was immediately called in, saying, “About three acres of woods burned, lots of pine needles, its bedded dead. A lot of dead dry wood on the ground helped fuel the fire as well.” No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire. Poulin said the recent rain has helped prevent more brush fires so far this season.
Western Mass News