Massachusetts fire death under investigation as fire weather continues in the Northeast

MILLBURY, Mass. – An investigation is underway in Massachusetts after a woman died in an outdoor fire over the weekend, while wildfire danger remains elevated in the Northeast.

Authorities in Millbury responded to a small brush fire Saturday evening. Massachusetts state troopers found the victim next to a warehouse where the fire likely started. The Millbury Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, which occurred while a fire weather warning was in effect for parts of the state. According to the state fire chief, both the death and the cause of the fire are being investigated.

Millbury Fire Department vehicle.

(Massachusetts Department of Fire)

Another brush fire broke out on Sunday in Middleton, about 30 minutes outside of Boston. The Middleton Fire Department said the fire was burning near power lines and estimated the firefight would be “likely a multi-day event.”

The weekend fatality came after weeks of drought in the Northeast led to dozens of fires, including the Hawthorne Fire in Connecticut, in which a retired firefighter died when his utility vehicle rolled over on steep, rocky terrain. Three other firefighters were injured in the incident.

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Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency due to the ongoing fire threat to the state.

The dry stretch continues

A near-record stretch without rain is driving fire weather through the Northeast.

New York City and Philadelphia face four weeks of dry weather.

New York City experienced its driest stretch on record in 1924, with 36 consecutive dry days. Without measurable rain in the next two weeks, this record could be in jeopardy.

Cities with potentially record-breaking dry spells.
(FOX Weather)

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Philadelphia's driest stretch occurred in 1874, with 29 consecutive days without measurable rain. The city will most likely break the record on Monday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, in addition to the dry conditions, freshly fallen leaves are also drying out, creating the conditions for wildfires to spread.

Recent drought conditions in the Northeast.
(FOX Weather)

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With further significant warming expected mid to late this week, overall fire danger is likely to become extreme again toward the end of October.