WORTHINGTON — A downed powerline sparked a severe brush fire in wooded land on Worthington Road at about noon on Friday, and officials said firefighters are expected to work through the night to put out the blaze.
Worthington Police Chief John Scobie told the Gazette that crews were still attempting to maintain the fire in the area of 794 Huntington Road, or Route 112, at about 2 p.m. He said the effort could last into the night. Worthington Fire Chief Mike Dondiego could not be reached for comment by phone Friday.
A span of the roadway was closed from Ireland Street to Indian Oven Road, with a detour set up. Scobie said the roadway would reopen when it was safe for travelers to pass. He said many crews in the area are responding, including state agencies.
The Turners Falls Fire Department posted a statement saying that they were responding to the fire as part of a Statewide Fire Mobilization Task Force. Scobie said that many crews had come to Huntington Road from a different brush fire that was extinguished on Williamsburg Road.
“I think they’re going to be working through most of the night,” Scobie said. “This can go on. This wind is pretty bad.”
David Celino, fire warden of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, said that the fire was started due to a downed powerline that was likely knocked down from the wind.
“We’ve had a few powerlines in western Mass. come down (on Friday),” Celino said. “This one is probably more significant.”
Conditions on Friday made for a high fire risk, Celino said, due to the elevated wind, dry materials and low humidity. Particularly during the fall, the dryness and increase in ground fuels, mainly leaves, make for higher fire potential, he said.
“When we get the alignment of high winds and really dry surface fuels, they really line up to give us some really quick moving, rapid spread of wildfires and that’s what we’re concerned with today,” Celino said.
Additionally, Celino said there has been little precipitation in the past two weeks and there is little predicted in the near future, which will keep firefighters on their toes heading into next week. Luckily, he said temperatures have remained lower in the 50s and 60s.
Celino advised residents to avoid any burning outside due to the current conditions and danger.
