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Fire risk elevated across Massachusetts as deadly brushfire burns in neighboring state

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Fire risk elevated across Massachusetts as deadly brushfire burns in neighboring state


The National Weather Service says there is an elevated fire risk in Massachusetts as a deadly wildfire continues to burn in Connecticut.

The combination of recent dry weather, gusty winds, and lower humidity makes conditions favorable for wildfire spread today in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, the NWS and National Fire Service said.

“Use caution when handling and disposing of ignition sources,” the NWS warned in a special statement.

Robert Sharkevich, a firefighter with the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department in Connecticut died Tuesday after a utility vehicle rolled over onto him Tuesday while he was fighting a brush fire on Lamentation Mountain in the town of Berlin, Governor Ned Lamont announced Wednesday.

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“I am very heartbroken to learn the news of the tragic loss of Firefighter Sharkevich, who died while bravely and courageously responding to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin,” Lamont said in a statement. “His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing less than heroic.”

In New Braintree, Massachusetts, the Oakham Fire Department also battled a brushfire on Wednesday and a second one in Holden.

“Conditions are dangerously dry. Please remember no open burning and use caution discarding smoking materials,” the fire department said in a Facebook post.

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The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation says a fire that broke out at Blue Hills Reservation in Milton on Sunday burned about two acres and is now about 70 percent contained.

The Bay State reminded residents that a permit is required from local fire departments to burn materials, and it’s only allowed from Jan. 15 to May 1. It’s also prohibited in 22 cities and towns include Boston, Worcester, and Lawrence.

The state has also placed patrols in wooded areas where the fire risk is considered high.

Wind gusts in Massachusetts could hit 30 mph on Thursday, fueling an increased possibility for fires, the Boston 25 Weather team said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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‘No way to leave’: Mass. families stuck in Middle East amid war in Iran

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‘No way to leave’: Mass. families stuck in Middle East amid war in Iran


Massachusetts families are stuck in the Middle East amid the war in Iran, and Democratic Sen. Ed Markey says the State Department needs to do more to get them home.

The Trump administration is telling Americans to leave the region, and families would love to, but they haven’t been able to get out.

Stacey Schuhwerk of Hingham has been sheltering in place in a Doha hotel since Saturday.

“We hear the missiles outside,” she said. “We can see them.”

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The Hingham mother and her son are among nearly 1,600 Americans trapped in the Middle East with no way to get home.

“Airspace is shut down. There’s no planes,” said Schuhwerk. “There’s no way to leave.”

Flights between Boston and the Middle East are canceled or delayed as travelers express anxiety over the conflict.

At first, U.S. officials told people to shelter in place and register with the State Department — something Schuhwerk did days ago.

“There’s no help there. The last time we called was 20 minutes ago, and they continue to say that ‘We don’t know anything about any plans for government help to get people out,’” she said.

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Embassies and consulates across the region — including the U.S. Embassy in Israel — have now suspended services, saying they simply can’t get Americans out.

“They did not have a plan to conduct this war, and they clearly did not have a plan as to how to evacuate innocent families,” Markey said.

The senator says his office is hearing from Massachusetts families, and he’s pressuring the Trump administration to come up with an evacuation plan fast.

“We are going to apply that pressure on the State Department until every American who wants to leave that region is out,” he said.

Back in Doha, Schuhwerk keeps watching the war outside her window.

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“The talk here is ‘How much defensive ammunition’s left?’ Good question, you know, because the missiles aren’t stopping,” she said. “So how long are we going to be safe here?”

With no clear end to this conflict, she’s worried she could be stuck there for weeks.



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Snow, ice, rain to impact roads in Massachusetts – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Snow, ice, rain to impact roads in Massachusetts – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


Happy Tuesday! While today started off dry, we’re already looking at snow out there across the area. While this event will primarily stay as rain on the Cape and islands, it will be an icy mix of snow, ice and rain for the rest of us.

The rain/snow line will continue to advance from the south to the north as the evening progresses. Before the changeover, there will be a quick coating to 2 inches for most of our area.

The threshold between the snow and rain will feature sleet and freezing rain, leading to that icing.

For the rest of the night, there will primarily be rain with continued pockets of freezing rain, leading to increasing spotty ice accretion. Be extremely careful on roads, especially since switching between rain and freezing rain can wash off any road salt.

The rain and freezing rain will exit by 6 a.m. Wednesday, but temperatures will still be close to freezing during the morning commute, so watch out for some spotty black ice.

The rest of Wednesday will be really nice! Highs will warm up to the mid 50s with the help of ample sun.

Thursday we start off in the mid 20s and top off in the mid 40s. We’ll be partly sunny with another chance for some wintry weather Thursday night. This primarily looks like some rain and freezing rain, rather than the triple threat with snow too. We’ll keep an eye on that for you.

That will continue into Friday morning. The rest of Friday: cloudy with a chance for a spot shower and highs cooler again in the upper 30s. Saturday will be dry, breezy and cloudy but gorgeous near 50 degrees! There’s a chance for some rain showers Saturday night. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward an hour before you to go bed!

Sunday we start the day mild in the 40s and make it all the way into the upper 50s with more sun. Monday and Tuesday both look bright and in the 60s! Stay tuned.

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Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks

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Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks




Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks – CBS Boston

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Poya Sohrabi hasn’t heard from his family since they took shelter from attacks in Tehran. WBZ-TV’s Mike Sullivan reports.

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