Press Release: 6/12/2025

State Officials Advise Precautions Ahead of Potential Wildfire Activity

 



Recommendations for residents follow historic 2024 season of 1,300 wildfires 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



6/11/2025



MEDIA CONTACT



Ilyse Wolberg, DCR Deputy Communications Director



 Phone



Call Ilyse Wolberg, DCR Deputy Communications Director at (617) 360-1715



 Online



Email Ilyse Wolberg, DCR Deputy Communications Director at ilyse.wolberg@mass.gov



BOSTON — Following a historic 2024 fire season marked by 1,300 wildfires that burned in Massachusetts, the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Department of Fire Services (DFS) are encouraging residents to consider taking home safety precautions recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) through its Firewise USA program to reduce risks of property damage from brush and wildlands fires.  



“Over the last several years, we have seen a serious rise in wildfires both in the Northeast and across the country, with many spreading into nearby residential neighborhoods and causing property damage or loss,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We encourage all homeowners to implement these NFPA Firewise precautions. They may seem small, but they can make a big difference in minimizing the risks to your property in the event of a nearby wildfire.”



“We saw last fall just how quickly outdoor fires can grow to sizes that require a large response by local and regional fire departments,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “These fires strain our resources and make it harder to respond to other emergencies. Keeping the area around your home clear of combustible materials and limiting the potential for fire spread can protect you and your loved ones. It can also reduce the risk of a small outdoor fire growing out of control.”



Last fall Massachusetts experienced an unprecedented level of a of wildfire activity, with the DCR Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry reporting wildfire occurrence increased by roughly 1,200% during the months of October and November. The surge in wildfires was a result of drought conditions across the state causing critically dry fuel conditions, which were conducive to large wildfire growth. In November 2024, the National Weather Service issued 14 red flag warnings for Massachusetts – an all-time monthly record. More than 660 wildfires burned 4,000 acres across the state during this period, resulting in seven homes and over 40 outbuildings damaged or destroyed, as well as well more than 550 homes threatened. The vast majority of the 2024 fire season wildfires were caused by debris pile burning, abandoned campfires and equipment.  



“The 2024 fall fire activity was historical in modern times, however southern New England is no stranger to large wildfire fire events over the long history of the region,” said DCR Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino. “The added challenge for firefighters in these modern wildfire events is the ever-increasing exposure of development near natural fuels that want to burn.”



NFPA’s fire prevention guidance applies to three distinct areas of a property: the Immediate Zone, which covers the home on the property and the five-foot area surrounding it; the Intermediate Zone, which spans from five to 30-feet from the home’s outermost point; and the Extended Zone, which extends out to 200-feet from the home.  



The following precautions are recommended for each of the three property zones:  



Immediate Zone: 




  • Clean roofs and gutters of any debris, particularly dead leaves and pine needles.

  • Replace any loose shingles or roof tiles.  

  • Install metal mesh screening in eaves.  

  • Clear debris from exterior attic vents and install metal mesh screening as needed.  

  • Repair and replace any window screens that could allow accumulation of any flammable debris.

  • Move all flammable material away from exterior walls, including mulch, flammable plants, dried leaves, pine needles, and firewood, as well as anything stored beneath a deck or porch.  



Intermediate Zone: 




  • Clear vegetation from under stationary propane tanks.  

  • Utilize fuel break property borders, which serve as an area free of flammable vegetation and help interrupt the spread of fire. These include driveways, walkways, paths, and patios.  

  • Do not allow lawns and native grasses to grow above four inches in height.  

  • Remove vegetation below or around trees that could allow fires to spread into trees. Additionally, trees should be pruned to the point that the lowest branches are six to 10 feet above the ground.  

  • When planting trees, space each at a minimum of 18 feet apart.  

  • Shrubs planted beneath tree canopies should be limited to small clusters.  



Extended Zone: 




  • Dispose of any heavy accumulation of ground litter or flammable debris.

  • Remove dead plant or tree material.

  • Remove small conifers growing between larger, mature trees.

  • Remove vegetation immediately surrounding sheds or other outbuildings.

  • Prune canopies of trees 30 to 60 feet from the home so that they have at least 12 feet between canopy tops.

  • Prune canopies of trees 60 to 100 feet from the home so that they have at least 6 feet between canopy tops. 



Until the recent rainfall across the state, much of Massachusetts had been experiencing some level of drought. As of June 10, the state’s the Islands Region is experiencing a Level 1 – Mild Drought and the Cape Cod Region continues at Level 2 – Significant Drought. 



Examples of home safety precautions can be found in a video available on DCR’s social media channels