LEVERETT — An outdoor maple syrup boil is being blamed for causing a brush fire that consumed about 3 acres of land near the intersection of North Leverett and Richardson roads on Friday afternoon, according to the Leverett Fire Department’s Facebook page.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 12:21 p.m. and had the fire under control by 1:08 p.m.. Two structures nearby were threatened and protected without being damaged.

In addition to Leverett firefighters, others on scene included the Shutesbury, Montague Center and Sunderland fire departments, the Leverett and Shutesbury police and Leverett Higwhay Department.

High winds contributed to the spread of the fire. Residents are reminded to use caution when burning outside until May 1, when open burning is allowed.