Mass. Fire Officials Concerned About Brush Fires This Spring
KINGSTON (CBS) -- It's the start of the brush fire season in Massachusetts, but this year forestry officials are unusually worried.
Plymouth County Fire Warden Mike Marquardt is tasked with keeping an eye on the Myles Standish State Forest, which encompasses 20,000 acres.
"Right now, we're concerned about fine fuels and those are fuels that are three inches in diameter or less," he said. "They dry out and become real susceptible to the sun, the lower humidities and the winds."
Marquardt says most brush fires are the result of human actions, including improperly disposing of smoking materials or camp fires not being closely monitored.
Dennis Flynn, who works in a state fire tower in Kingston, says all burn permits will be cancelled as of May 1.
With the red flag warning at its highest level, all state towers are being manned by fire officials.
