Plymouth Fire Department Reminds Residents of Outdoor Burning Ban Due to Elevated Wildfire Risk

PLYMOUTH — Chief Neil Foley wishes to remind residents that the Plymouth Fire Department has banned all outdoor burning until further notice, per guidance issued by the State Fire Marshal.

This year’s October wildland fires have surged more than 1,200% in Massachusetts, and the drought continues.

“The risk of outdoor fires starting brush and wildfires is extremely high right now,” Chief Foley said. “I would like to remind residents that no outdoor burning is permitted in Plymouth until drought conditions improve.”

Due to the dry weather and high temperatures, wildfires and brush fires have been rampant in Massachusetts. These statewide weather conditions place all Massachusetts communities at an elevated risk for brush fires.

As a reminder, open burning is prohibited this time of year. Open burning season in Plymouth is from Jan. 15 through through April 15, with a valid permit.

The National Weather Service is issuing regular fire advisories and issued another red flag warning today, and this is likely to continue until we receive significant rainfall. No rain has been forecasted for the immediate future, so high fire danger is likely to continue. 

This warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or may develop, meaning any fires that ignite could spread rapidly and be difficult to extinguish.

In Massachusetts, an average of 15 wildland fires are reported each October, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS). This year, the month’s total capped at about 200 — an increase of about 1,200% over the average.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 261 fires had burned 696 acres in November, according to DFS.

If anybody has any questions, please reach out to the Plymouth Fire Department by calling 508-830-4213, and follow the prompt for the Fire Prevention Office.

The Plymouth Fire Department would like to share the following safety tips from the Massachusetts DFS with residents and community members as fire conditions across the state should be monitored closely:

• Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimneys, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches.
• Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials out a car window or over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings.
• Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. The engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass.
• Properly dispose of ashes or coals from fireplaces, wood stoves, or grills in a metal can, douse it with water, and secure it with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to reignite and cause a fire.
• Residents and community members should follow instructions from local safety officials.

For more information about outdoor fire safety, click here.

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