SALEM – Brush fires in Salem and other parts of northeastern Massachusetts continued to burn Monday morning, with smoke being detected as far south as Boston.

In Salem, more than 100 acres has burned in the brush fires, which started Saturday. The fires have been spreading as tourists converge on Salem for Halloween events downtown.

The fires have not had any impact on the festivities, but the drifting smoke could be smelled from miles away.

Salem, Peabody, Lynn brush fires

Salem Fire Chief Alan Dionne said the flames have been very difficult to put out because the terrain between Salem, Peabody and Lynn is very secluded and rocky.

Several local and state agencies are now using helicopter water drops and drones to identify the heavy burn areas and put out flames.

“It’s a lot of acreage and getting to it is the hardest part,” Dionne told WBZ-TV Sunday. “It’s just one of those fires that’s going to smolder for a long time. And when it smolders overnight and then it gets fresh air and a breeze in the morning and especially if there’s a wind change, then it could flare up again.”

Middleton brush fires

No one has been hurt and there are no reports of any homes or business being damaged in the fires, which are also an issue in Middleton, which is about 10 miles northwest of Salem. 

“Both incidents will require lengthy, heavily committed, multi agency operations to be placed under under control,” Northeast Massachusetts Emergency Alerts said in a statement on Facebook.

Brush fires were reported as far south as Rehoboth on Sunday. A firefighter there was brought to the hospital because of the heat, but is expected to be okay, according to WPRI-TV.

FRAMINGHAM – With less than two months to go before the holiday season, the organizers of “Shop with a Cop” in Massachusetts are looking for donations to support hundreds of children in need.

More applications expected

The annual event pairs Metro West children in financial need with a police officer for a holiday shopping spree. It involves roughly 100 police officers from across the state, as well as appearances from Santa and the Grinch.

Framingham Police Officer Matt Gutwill, who leads the event, said 800 applications are expected this year, with roughly 500 children who will be identified as in need. Right now the event, which is funded by donations to the Framingham Police Association, only has enough money to provide for 125 children.

Gutwill said other charitable organizations have reached out to “Shop with a Cop” to fill in funding gaps during the busy holiday season. 

Positive impact on kids and police

The event has run for seven years and has served more than 2,000 children in Metro West, providing them with about $155,000 in gifts, clothing and food. Gutwill said it has a positive impact on children and officers.

“As a police officer, I go to a lot of different calls and I see a lot of different things that are heartbreaking or devastating to us,” said Gutwill. “Seeing a child’s face and how rewarding it is to us to build a relationship with a child that will last for years…that’s huge for us.”