Massachusetts Fires

Monitor wildfires in Massachusetts using our interactive fire map. Get real-time tracking on current and active fires in Massachusetts. Stay ahead with updated fire conditions.

Daily Wildfire Report

Daily Wildfire Report for Massachusetts - August 02, 2026

Overview

Massachusetts is currently experiencing a low local wildfire risk due to recent precipitation and high humidity across the region. However, the state is being impacted by poor air quality and hazy conditions caused by dense smoke drifting eastward from active wildfires in Northern Minnesota and Canada. The current National Preparedness Level remains elevated, indicating that wildland firefighting resources are heavily committed across the country, with Massachusetts actively supporting out-of-state efforts.

Current Situation

Fire Activity: Over the last 72 hours, local wildland fire activity in Massachusetts has been minimal. There are currently no significant active wildland fires threatening communities, values at risk, or consuming major forest fuels within the state. Because local resources are not currently strained, state officials recently deployed a 10-person wildland firefighting crew (a Suppression Module) from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and MassWildlife to Northern Minnesota to assist with severe fire activity occurring there.

Key Fires:
Currently, there are no significant active wildfires in Massachusetts. The primary concern in the state right now is not local fire spread or fuel consumption, but rather the secondary health and visibility effects of out-of-state fires.

Prescribed Burns and Land Management: Open burning is strictly prohibited across Massachusetts at this time of year. The state's open burning season runs exclusively from January 15 to May 1. A statewide burn ban on open brush and forestry debris burning remains in effect to prevent accidental ignitions during the warmer summer months. Looking ahead, the Massachusetts Army National Guard and MassWildlife are planning prescribed burn operations for later seasons to manage fuel loads in fire-prone areas—such as the Pitch Pine Barrens at Camp Edwards—but no prescribed burns are active in August.

Air Quality: Smoke from the Minnesota and Canadian wildfires has drifted into Massachusetts over the past 72 hours, changing the color of the sky and reducing air quality to levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups, including those with asthma, lung or heart disease, and older adults.

Weather and Wind Warnings

Current Weather: Current conditions in Massachusetts feature cloudy skies, temperatures in the low 70s, and high humidity near 90%, with chances of light rain.
Forecasted Weather: The forecast for the next 72 hours includes continued chances of rain and scattered thunderstorms, with temperatures warming into the 80s and low 90s heading into the week. Humidity will remain high. There are no red flag warnings, fire weather watches, or high wind warnings in effect for Massachusetts at this time.

Recommendations

Public Awareness: Residents are advised to be mindful of air quality conditions due to out-of-state wildfire smoke. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity and strenuous exercise when air quality is poor. Additionally, residents are reminded to adhere to the statewide open burning ban and practice safety with outdoor grills and campfires, as human-caused sparks remain the leading cause of local ignitions.
Resource Allocation: With local fire danger low, Massachusetts is actively supporting national firefighting efforts through mutual aid agreements, sending highly trained personnel to areas of critical need across the U.S. border.