North Shore Brush Fire Sparks Amid Severe Drought Conditions

GLOUCESTER, MA — A large brush fire broke out in Gloucester on Monday as dry, hot conditions continue to make the North Shore vulnerable to fire risk this summer.

Gloucester Fire Chief Eric Smith said late Monday afternoon that the fire broke out mid-morning in the area of Poles Hill and Riverview Road in brush that was difficult for crews to reach.

North Shore visitors and residents were asked to avoid the area as the fire reached three alarms.

There were no reported injuries as of late Monday afternoon.

Smith said much of the fire had been contained as of about 4 p.m. but crews remained at the scene preventing flare-ups.

The Essex, Danvers, Salem and Hamilton fire departments provided assistance Monday, as did the Lynn Fire Department drone unit. The Gloucester Police and DPW responded as well, as did Beauport Ambulance Service.

The Peabody, Manchester and Middleton fire departments provided station coverage.

The fire risk, which typically wanes in the summer with increased vegetation, has remained active this summer among drought conditions.

The North Shore is in a "severe drought" — according to the National Weather Service — after experiencing "abnormally dry conditions" in both June and July.

High winds and summer heat made for a disruptive combination for the North Shore afternoon commute a couple of weeks ago when a brush fire closed a Danvers exit ramp on July 12.

Danvers fire crews, with the assistance of Topsfield fire and the Massachusetts Forestry Division, responded and were able to get control of that blaze before it got out of control.

"A little rain would do us some good," Danvers fire said at the time.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)