As Severe Fire Weather Persists, Otis, Mass Extends Outdoor Fire Restrictions!!
518 Fires Have Burned More Than 1,500 Acres in Massachusetts Since October 1.
Otis, Mass—With outdoor fuel sources extremely dry and no meaningful precipitation
expected, Otis Fire Chief Rich Phair along with other municipal leaders are extending restrictions
on any outdoor fires at least until Friday, November 22.
“This has been an unprecedented fall fire season in Massachusetts,” said Chief Phair. “The
current and expected weather conditions mean that any outdoor fire is likely to spread quickly
and become difficult to control. In Otis, those fires could easily spread to homes and other
properties.”
Burning yard waste is already prohibited across Massachusetts through January 15 and
year-round in some communities under 310 CMR 7.07, the Open Burning regulation. The local
fire restriction additionally restricts the outdoor use of fire pits, chimineas, candles,
cooking/heating equipment, and other ignition sources under Section 10.10.2 of the
Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. The Code grants fire officials the authority to
prohibit any and all open flames and other ignition sources under certain hazardous conditions,
including extreme drought. About 200 Massachusetts municipalities have imposed these
prohibitions.
Any requests for permits for outdoor fires, hot work such as cutting/grinding, and other activity
will be decided in light of the ongoing fire risk.
All of Massachusetts, including Otis, is facing an unprecedented fall wildfire season. While the
state averages 15 to 20 fires a month in October and November each year, local fire departments
have reported more than 500 fires since October 1, 2024. These fires have burned more than
1,500 acres – rivaling average statewide totals for an entire year. Many of these fires have
damaged homes and other properties, and they are taxing local and regional firefighting
resources.
According to Chief Phair, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and the Department of
Conservation & Recreation’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry, almost all of these fires
start with human activity and can be prevented by limiting outdoor activity that involves open
flames, sparks and embers, hot engines or gasoline from power equipment, and other ignition
sources.
Chief Phair recommended the following fire prevention strategies during this period of severe
fire risk:
● Follow local and state guidance on outdoor ignition sources. Remember that burning yard
waste is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities
year-round. Many cities and towns have implemented temporary restrictions on any
outdoor fires until conditions improve.
● Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits,
and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
● Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power
equipment. Hot engines, sparks, and spilled gasoline can 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. These ashes can remain hot enough to ignite
combustibles long after the fire goes out: 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.
The faster we hear about a fire, the better chance we have of safely extinguishing it. If you see
smoke or flames, please call 9-1-1 right away so we can protect you, your neighbors, and our
community.