As Massachusetts grapples with record warmth and an extended dry spell, forecasters at the National Weather Service have set down a red flag warning for the entire state for “critical fire conditions.”
The warning comes as the state deals with growing drought conditions, particularly in Eastern Massachusetts, where parts of Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex and Norfolk counties are in “severe drought.” The rest of the state qualifies as moderate drought conditions.
A brush fire in Salem burned more than 170 acres this week before it was extinguished. Smoky conditions from that fire and others around the North Shore forced the early dismissal of students from Salem High School.
Temperatures are expected to remain well above average on Friday, with highs expected to top 75 degrees in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. As a result of the high temperatures, drought conditions and the potential for wind gusts up to 35 mph, Friday brings a high risk of fire, forecasters say.
Any fire that develops on Friday will “catch and spread quickly,” forecasters wrote.
The warning stretches from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.
