Hazy skies persist as firefighters face challenges containing brush fires in eastern Massachusetts

Thick smoke will likely linger Tuesday as firefighters in the Merrimack Valley and on the North Shore work to contain several brush fires.The Fire Middleton Fire Department said a brush fire that started Sunday has now grown to more than 250 acres.Info: Check Air Quality by ZIP codeIt’s burning in the area between Upton Hills Lane and Middleton Pond.The fire chief said the fire is mostly contained, but getting water on it has been a major challenge.”Water supply is a big one. Unfortunately, we don’t have that, so we are relying on our brush trucks to shuttle it in and out,” Middleton Fire Department Chief David LeColst said.Homeowner Tina Wedge and her family recall being on high alert when the fire came dangerously close to their house, with firefighters staging in the driveway.”This is sort of crazy … you think like California … you would never think this here in Massachusetts,” Wedge said.There have been 18 active brush fires reported statewide in the past 24 hours, the state Department of Fire Services said in a statement Monday.Monday night, Sky 5 spotted two other fires — one in Saugus where intense flames burned in the Cedar Glenn Golf Course and another fire in Boxford, where flames burned in a circle outward until crews were able to extinguish it.A fire sparked that Saturday evening in Salem near Spring Pond burned 130 acres, said Alan Dionne, chief of the Salem Fire Department.Air National Guard helicopters continued water drops to try to douse the fire, which has been burning in Salem and Lynn.The odor from the fire is traveling dozens of miles from the origin, with police alerting residents about the smell as far away as Needham.Weather conditions statewide place all Massachusetts communities at elevated risk of brush fires. State fire officials said dry leaves, dead vegetation, and other fuels are extremely receptive to ignition.“The dry, sunny, breezy weather is great for recreation, but it also means that any outdoor fire will spread quickly and become very difficult to manage,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said. “We’re seeing preventable fires growing to dangerous sizes and drawing numerous resources, locally and regionally.”Fire officials reminded residents that open burning is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round. They also urged residents to avoid outdoor cooking and heating and to use caution when using power equipment like lawnmowers and leaf blowers. The engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass.The Associated Press contributed to this report.