Norton Fire Department

NORTON — Chief Shawn Simmons reports that the Norton Fire Department responded to three brush fires at approximately the same time on Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday, Nov. 7, amid a Red Flag Warning put in place due to extreme fire conditions, the Norton Fire Department responded to three separate brush fires all starting at about 3 p.m.

The first fire was reported at 2:48 p.m., at 80 Harvey St., where less than half an acre burned before Norton firefighters were able to extinguish the flames.

At 3:06 p.m., a larger fire was reported at 121 W. Hodges St. That fire burned about two acres of land and kept companies busy overhauling and wetting down hot spots until about 7 p.m.

Companies from the first fire eventually responded to West Hodges Street, and off-duty department personnel were called back in to assist with battling this blaze.

At 3:12 p.m., a third fire was reported at 206 Old Dean St. This fire was small and burned less than half an acre.

Firefighters from Taunton and Rehoboth covered Norton fire stations while companies battled the brush fires. There were no reported injuries and no property damage.

Norton Emergency Management also provided support, sending a rehab truck and lighting to the West Hodges Street fire.

The causes of the fires remain under investigation by the Norton Fire Department.

“Crews did a great job getting around these fires quickly with limited personnel,” Chief Simmons said. “I’d like to remind everyone that fire conditions are extreme right now, and I urge all residents to use caution with any outdoor activities that could cause a fire or sparks.”

NORTON— Chief Shawn Simmons reports that the Norton Fire Department is banning all outdoor burning until further notice, per guidance issued by the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM).

The temporary outdoor fire ban includes fires associated with fire pits, chimneys, outdoor fireplaces, and cooking and heating equipment that are not specifically covered under the Open Burning regulation.

As a reminder, open burning is prohibited this time of year. Open burning season is from Jan. 15 through May 1. 

Wildfires and brush fires have been rampant in Massachusetts due to the changing weather and environmental factors. These statewide weather conditions place all Massachusetts communities at an elevated risk for brush fires.  

The National Weather Service is issuing regular fire advisories and on Friday issued a red flag warning. This warning indicates that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or may develop, meaning any fires that ignite could spread rapidly and be difficult to extinguish. 

In Massachusetts, an average of 15 wildland fires are reported each October, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS). This year, the month’s total capped at about 200 – an increase of about 1,200 percent over the average. Of these fires, 100 were reported over the last seven days, and preliminary information indicates that all of them started with human activity.

The Norton Fire Department would like to share the following safety tips from the Massachusetts DFS with residents and community members as fire conditions across the state should be monitored closely:

• Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimneys, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches. 
• Do not use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to burn brush, trash, or other waste. 
• Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris. 
• Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. The engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass. 
• Properly dispose of ashes or coals from fireplaces, wood stoves, or grills in a metal can, douse it with water, and secure it with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to reignite and cause a fire.  
• Residents and community members should follow instructions from local safety officials. 

For more information about outdoor fire safety, click here. 

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Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 a.m. and clocks will move back one hour. 

Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are vital in reducing deaths and injuries caused by fire. They give everyone in the home an early warning and time to escape.

Be prepared, turn your clocks back one hour, and check your smoke and CO alarms. 

For more information about smoke/CO alarm safety, visit the National Fire Protection Agency’s website: https://tinyurl.com/NFPADetectors

National First Responders Day honors all the men and women who respond to emergencies to ensure the public’s safety — paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and 911 operators. These workers sacrifice their time and risk their personal safety to protect citizens, and National First Responders Day is an opportunity to recognize their bravery and heroism. On behalf of the entire department, we extend our appreciation and support to the first responders working to keep our community safe.

Fire Prevention Week, organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), aims to teach everyone how to stay safe in case of a fire. This year, it’s being held from Oct. 6-12 with the theme “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™” The NFPA strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home. The three most important factors are to INSTALL, TEST, and REPLACE. Are your smoke detectors working?

For more information on Fire Prevention Week and important fire safety tips, visit https://tinyurl.com/2024FirePreventionWeek