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Where are fires burning in Massachusetts? See map of where fire are burning

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Where are fires burning in Massachusetts? See map of where fire are burning


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The brush fires continue to burn in Massachusetts.

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A major brush fire erupted at Blue Hills Reservation on Monday night, and crews continued to battle the blaze Tuesday.

In Braintree, a brush fire was reported in the woods near Skyline Drive on Monday.

“Fire will continue to smolder deep underground until we have a soaking rain,” states the Braintree Fire Department’s Instagram page.

On top of the major brush fires this week, the alerts for fires kept coming in consistently from Nov. 19-20. Using Dataminr, there were 10 notifications reported in Massachusetts by noon on Nov. 20 and 14 fires reported on Nov. 19.

See map of where fires are burning in MA

The National Weather Service is continuing to warn residents that the state is at high risk for fires, issuing a special advisory on Wednesday.

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“The combination of prolonged dry weather and low relative humidities will contribute to elevated fire weather concerns Wednesday across Massachusetts. Obey fire bans, keep vehicles off dry grass and use extra caution if handling any potential ignition sources,” the agency said.

Brush fires/fire alerts today, Nov. 20

These alerts come from Dataminr.

  • Brush fire burns on 0 block of Mulberry St. in Groveland
  • Fire reported on 10 block of Overland St. Southbridge
  • Butternut Fire burns at 1,100 acres on East Mountain Rd. in Great Barrington
  • Fire reported on Great Neck Rd. South, Mashpee
  • Fire reported on 110 block of Townsend St. Worcester
  • Fire reported on Western Ave. Lynn
  • Fire reported on 200 block of Walnut Plain Rd. Rochester
  • Fire reported on 70 block of Wales St. Taunton
  • Brush fire prompts emergency response near Donald E Ross Elementary School on 20 block of Hayward St. in Braintree
  • Fire reported on Oakmont St. Webster

Brush fires/fires alerts on Nov. 19

  • Fire reported on 900 block of South St. Southbridge
  • Fire reported at intersection of Essex Street and Hampshire St. Lawrence
  • Fire reported on Methuen St. Lowell
  • Fire reported on 0 block of Shrewsbury St. Worcester
  • Fire reported on Azalea Rd. Winchester
  • Fire reported on Sycamore St. Westfield
  • Fire reported on 0 block of Wakefield Ave. Saugus
  • Fire reported on Rockland St. Abington
  • Fire reported on 300 block of Cherry St. Newton
  • Fire reported on 20 block of Virginia St. Dorchester
  • Fire reported on 200 block of Rockland St. Hanover
  • Three-alarm brush fire burns on 230 block of Topsfield Rd. in Wenham
  • Fire reported on 10 block of Colonial Ave. Lowell
  • Brush fire burns at Cedar Glen Golf Course on 60 block of Water St. in Saugus

Is this a bad season for brush fires in Massachusetts?

Yes.

The Carver Fire Department reported on Facebook that the average number of November brush fires in Massachusetts is 21.

“So far for November 2024 we are at 292 with over 700 acres burned” for the state, the department noted.

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State fire officials report that there were 175 wildfires that continued to be an issue across Massachusetts earlier this month on Nov. 9.

Mass.gov stated that there were 203 brush fires in Massachusetts during the month of October, which is an increase of about 1,200% over the average. Typically, there are only about 15 brush fires in October.

How bad is the drought in Massachusetts?

As of this week, the U.S. Drought Monitor recently showed that dry conditions in Massachusetts keep getting worse.

That’s because the state really hasn’t seen any significant rain since September, with precipitation totals in October being low.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought for the central and northeast regions parts of Massachusetts late last week.

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The U.S. Drought Monitor currently classifies just over 66% of the state as being in a severe drought covering most of the Boston area, North shore, Central Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts. Other parts of the state are considered to be in a moderate drought, while the Cape and Islands are currently classified as abnormally dry.

Is there any rain on the way? If so, will it help?

The National Weather Service stated that a “slow-moving frontal system” will bring overcast skies and rain Thursday into Friday, “which could mix with wet snow at locations above 1,500 feet elevation.”

Meteorologist Candice Hrencecin of the National Weather Service branch in Norton told USA Today Network on Tuesday, Nov. 19, that “about an inch of rain” can be expected this Thursday into Friday.

But after Thursday, the weather is supposed to dry up again, she added.

Regarding whether the forecasted rain would stop the drought, Hrencecin said, “Definitely not,” but she added it would help quench any ongoing brush fires.

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Here’s how to enter for a chance at a low-number Mass. license plate

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Here’s how to enter for a chance at a low-number Mass. license plate


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The annual lottery is for standard white Massachusetts passenger license plates.

A man walks to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles office in Lawrence, Mass. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles announced on Monday it is now taking applications for the 2026 Annual Low Number Plate Lottery.

The annual lottery is for standard white Massachusetts passenger license plates. Winners and alternate winners will be selected using an electronic random number generator and notified by mail no later than Sept. 15.

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To be eligible, an applicant must be a current Massachusetts resident with an active, state registered and insured passenger motor vehicle. They must also have a state-issued driver’s license or ID in good standing.

You can apply through Aug. 14 at the myRMV Online Service Center.

While there’s no cost to enter, “applicants selected in the lottery will be required to pay the special plate fee in addition to the applicable standard vehicle registration fee,” the RMV said.

Commercial vehicles and motorcycles will not be accepted as applicants. MassDOT workers and contract employees and their immediate family members are ineligible to participate, the RMV said.

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Two men indicted for Hinsdale robbery after ‘cigarette trail’ leads through Vermont, Massachusetts

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Two men indicted for Hinsdale robbery after ‘cigarette trail’ leads through Vermont, Massachusetts


HINSDALE, N.H. (ABC22/FOX44) – Two men from Massachusetts have been indicted after they allegedly stole more than $200,000 in cigarettes and fled in a stolen U-Haul van before setting it on fire.

According to court documents, the men robbed the T-Bird Mini Mart on Brattleboro Road in Hinsdale, New Hampshire back on March 15. They then allegedly drove the U-Haul north into Brattleboro, Vermont before heading south on Interstate 91 down in Massachusetts.

Cartons of cigarettes reportedly fell from the back of the van as it drove through Brattleboro, which were estimated to be worth more than $50,000. The “trail of cigarettes” was reportedly used by investigators examining surveillance footage to track the path of the van leading up to the arrest of two suspects last week.

Surveillance footage purported to show the stolen van, at right, and cartons of cigarettes that fell in Brattleboro, Vermont. (Courtesy: USAO New Hampshire District)

Richard Conner, 64, of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and James Ferguson, 66, of Worcester, Massachusetts, were arrested on Friday.

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According to court documents, Ferguson was also seen on camera earlier in March stealing the U-Haul van in Northampton, Massachusetts.

A man identified by investigators as Richard Ferguson in March 1, 2026 surveillance footage. (Courtesy: USAO New Hampshire District)

The two men now face federal charges under the Hobbs Act and, if convicted, could spend up to 20 years in prison.



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Massachusetts opens 24 swimming pools for summer season

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Massachusetts opens 24 swimming pools for summer season


BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation announced the opening of 24 swimming pools for the summer season across the state.

This initiative includes the return of its free Learn to Swim Program for children and expanded lifeguard services at 30 DCR swimming areas. Registration for the free swimming lessons begins on Monday, June 22, providing children between the ages of 4 and 12 the opportunity to learn life-saving skills.

The DCR’s efforts aim to provide residents, visitors and families with safe places to swim and cool off during the summer. This commitment to water safety is supported by extending lifeguard coverage to seven days a week, which began last Saturday, running from 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., though continued coverage is subject to staff availability.

DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle emphasized the importance of aquatic education. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim. Swimming is more than a summer activity –it’s a life-saving skill that helps children safely enjoy our pools, lakes and beaches with confidence,” LaChapelle said. “By offering free swimming lessons at pools across Massachusetts, we’re helping remove barriers for families while helping more children safely enjoy the outdoor spaces that belong to all of us.”

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The Learn to Swim Program will be offered at 19 DCR pools throughout Massachusetts and is structured into three sessions during the summer. Each session consists of eight half-hour group swim classes tailored for beginner-level swimmers and organized by age.

The curriculum for the classes is based on the American Red Cross and focuses on water safety and basic swimming skills. Registration is required and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, closing once classes at each facility are full.

Participating DCR pools for the program are located in Agawam, Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Clinton, Fall River, Fitchburg, Hyde Park, Lawrence, Malden, Melrose, Milford, Somerville, Springfield, Watertown and Worcester.

The DCR is also actively recruiting certified lifeguards for its beaches and swimming pools for the current summer season. Positions are available through Labor Day and offer competitive hourly wages ranging from $22 to $27, depending on the position and associated certifications. More information about lifeguarding opportunities and application details are available on the agency’s lifeguarding webpage.

Beyond lifeguard services, the DCR maintains water safety at its state beaches and waterfronts through regular water quality testing at all 79 designated swimming areas. These areas are equipped with ropes and buoys to delineate swimming sections. Safety signage, which can be translated into nine languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese and Traditional Chinese via a QR code, is also present.

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To enhance safety, life rings are available for public use at both guarded and unguarded swimming areas in case of an emergency. All DCR swimming pools are equipped with chair lifts to provide water access. Several pools also feature ramps or zero-depth entry and select pools and spray decks offer beach wheelchairs for use.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WWLP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WWLP staff before being published.

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