We’re finally expecting some much-needed rain in the forecast Thursday, but we remain dry Wednesday as Massachusetts continues to experience many brush fires statewide.

Our NBC10 Boston weather team says Thursday’s rain won’t eliminate drought conditions in the region but it should calm things down, lowering the fire danger in the coming days. For now, MassWildlife staff are assisting DCR and local fire departments in the ongoing efforts to contain wildfires across the state.

Click here for a map of active fires

There was smoke and haze over the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton Wednesday morning. The reservation is a hotbed of fuel with dry leaves and brush at every turn.

Video from our drone ranger shows the fire is smoldering. It’s about 50% contained.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation says the fix for all of this is simple:

“What we really need is quite a bit of rain over a long duration to really put the fires out in the interior,” said Alex Belote, with DCR fire control.

With a severe drought blanketing the Commonwealth, fire officials are stressing no open burning, no tossing cigarettes, and no additional fuel sources that could exacerbate the multiple fires still burning.

Nearly all of Massachusetts is in a critical drought, with the dry weather fueling wildfires.

People should also take precautions when venturing into the woods, including the following:

• Stay away from active fires. Some may appear out but could still have a fire burning underground. Call 911 to report new fires.
• Extinguish and dispose of smoking materials such as cigarette butts appropriately.
• When visiting wooded areas, park vehicles away from dry grass and leaves and do not block access gates.
• Avoid recently burned areas because of the risk of falling trees weakened by fire.
• If you see or smell smoke, be safe and leave the woods. Fire can move quickly under windy conditions.
• Refrain from any outdoor activity involving open flames. There is a ban on outdoor open burning statewide.

According to MassWildlife, about 45% of Massachusetts homes are in or near areas at severe wildfire risk, meaning that any significant fire will put people and property in danger. Officials are asking Bay State residents to help reduce the risk sharing tips on water conservation and fire prevention.

“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our communities safe during these challenging circumstances,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in a statement last week. “The best way that we can thank the first responders who are battling these fires is to do our part not to contribute to them.”

The university you choose can significantly impact your career prospects. The Global Employability University Rankings (GEURS) 2025, compiled by French consultancy Emerging , highlights the world’s leading institutions renowned for producing highly employable graduates.
At the top of the overall rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has secured the number 1 spot globally and in the United States. The dominance of U.S. universities is evident in the top five, with California Institute of Technology ranked 2nd, Stanford University 3rd, and Harvard University 4th. Completing the top five is the University of Cambridge from the United Kingdom, claiming the 5th position.
The top 10 positions from the list of 250 universities for graduate employability in 2025 as per the Global Employability University Rankings (GEURS) 2025 include:

This year’s rankings highlight the growing prominence of Asian universities alongside the traditional powerhouses of the U.S. and the U.K. Notably, the rankings assess institutions based on criteria such as graduate employability, recruiter preferences, and industry-academia collaboration.

Top 10 of World’s best 250 universities for graduate employability in 2025 as per the Global Employability University Rankings (GEURS) 2025:

The GEURS 2025 reveal that top universities renowned for producing employable graduates are primarily concentrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) leads globally, with four other U.S. institutions—Caltech, Stanford, Harvard, and Princeton—securing spots in the top 10. The UK is well-represented by the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Imperial College London, while Asia shines with The University of Tokyo (Japan) and Peking University (China). These rankings emphasize the significance of academia-industry collaboration and the rising global impact of Asian universities.
The list also features 10 Indian universities, with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi leading the pack at rank 28. It is followed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) at 47th and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay at 60th.

About GEURS

According to the official website, GEURS is the only ranking based exclusively on international employers’ point of view. It is produced by Emerging and is, for employability, currently the most consulted ranking by employers worldwide.
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