'Multiple Fires' Close North Shore Park As Extreme Drought Persists

SALEM, MA — As the North Shore largely struck out on rainfall once again this week, brush fires and water restrictions persist while the "extreme drought conditions" extend to a larger portion of the state.

The Lynn Fire Department said on Thursday that "extensive fire damage" has caused the indefinite closure of the Lynn Woods Reservation. Lynn fire said the decision was made in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal and the DCR State Foresty Department.

"There are multiple fires burning at this time throughout the reservation," Lynn fire said. "While no structures are threatened the safety of the public is still paramount. Multiple pieces of apparatus are operating along the fire roads and they need to be kept clear."

This comes as the National Guard was activated on Thursday to help battle a smoldering brush fire in Rockport that officials said has been burning for a month.

Gov. Charlie Baker said on Thursday that the 19-acre Briarwood fire has been smoldering both above and below ground. Thirty specially trained members of the National Guard were called up to help contain the blaze.

Residents across the North Shore also reported smelling smoke from the ongoing Breakheart Reservation fire that has already burned 12 to 20 acres in Saugus.

The Briarwood Fire is one of more than 800 wildfires reported this year in the Commonwealth, which have burned a combined 1,248 acres according to the Department of Conservation and recreation Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry.

Danvers, which gets its water supply from the stressed Ipswich River Watershed, reminded residents on Thursday that the town is under a Level 5 water restriction, which means only hand-held hoses and cans can be used for outdoor watering between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. daily. Car washing and the filling of pools are prohibited.

"Violations of the Level 5 drought conditions result in a warning letter for a first offense," Danvers officials said. "Subsequent violations may result in a $300 fine.

"We appreciate your cooperation and efforts to conserve water."

Here is the latest Massachusetts drought map courtesy of the U.S. Drought Monitor (areas in red are considered under "extreme drought" conditions):

Forecasts are not looking promising for any substantial rainfall anytime soon with dry and increasingly hot and sunny conditions expected through the weekend. High temperatures on the North Shore will approach 90 degrees on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The next chance for substantial rain is not until early next week.

(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.)