The Middleton Fire Department, local mutual aid, and statewide resources continue to make progress battling the 166-acre Middleton Pond fire. Firefighters from the Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry and departments as far away as Stoughton and Devens have been supporting these efforts alongside Middleton personnel.
The weather through the rest of the week will pose a significant challenge for us. We expect it to be warm, dry, and breezy, making dry leaves and vegetation very receptive to ignition. In anticipation of this, firefighters will be conducting a “burnout” operation at in the area of Old Hundred Lane and Forest Street to consume potential fuel under controlled and supervised conditions, strengthening the fire perimeter. Please do not be alarmed if you see a heavy public safety presence in this area. This tactic will anchor the uncontrolled wildfire to existing hard-packed trails, which serve as a natural firebreak so firefighters can operate more safely and effectively. The exact timing will depend on weather conditions and wind direction, but it will likely be between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Our top priority is to protect people and property, and we will adjust the pace as necessary to minimize the smoke impact on residents.
As we prepare for the days ahead, I want to remind our residents that any outdoor fire will spread quickly and become very difficult to control. Please refrain from cooking and heating outdoors. Use extra care with lawn tractors and other power equipment because the engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves. And if you must smoke, use a heavy ashtray with water or sand and remember to put it out, all the way, every time. Almost all outdoor fires start with human activity, and with many of us outside for Halloween we have to be especially cautious.
Please don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 if you see flames near your home or if you or a loved one suffer any health effects related to the ongoing smoke condition. Middleton Fire remains fully capable of meeting our community’s emergency needs.