Higher risk for brush fires in WMass

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - We're just weeks away from winter, but we're dealing with a problem that's usually a concern in spring and summer: brush fires.

Snow on Tuesday brought some needed moisture, but our need for wet weather is still great. We have only had a little more than half an inch of rain for all of November, which puts us on track for the driest month of an already dry year.

On Monday in West Springfield, a brush fire scorched between three and five acres of woods in the Mittineague Park area; highlighting the fact that conditions are prime for brush fires across the area.

"There's so much fuel on the ground, the leaves are down, it's been very windy- and that combined with the minimal rainfall over the month and the year; there's a tremendous amount of fuel,” West Springfield Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Culver said.

Brush fires in November and December pose a particular challenge for firefighters. With sunset coming early this time of year, any brush fires that pop up need to be extinguished quickly so that firefighters aren't working in the dark.

Until we get some heavier snow or rain, our fire potential will remain high into next month.