Parts of Massachusetts are now in the midst of a severe drought, according to the most recent drought status map in the state.

That news comes in the midst of a week in which the heat index is supposed to skyrocket, causing even hotter and drier conditions.

"A Level 3 critical drought has been declared in Central and Northeast Massachusetts, while the Connecticut River Valley Region is in a Level 2 significant drought and the western end of the state is experiencing mild drought," according to WAMC northeast public radio.

Outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, a Level 1 (mild drought) warrants detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities. A Level 2 (significant drought) warrants the convening of an inter-agency mission group to more closely coordinate on drought assessments, impacts and response within the government, according to the EEA.  

What does a severe drought mean?

In a Level 3 drought, "crop loss is widespread; Christmas tree farms are stressed; dairy farmers are struggling financially; well-drillers and bulk water haulers see increased business; water recreation and hunting are modified; wildlife disease outbreak is observed," according to Drought.gov.

The website notes when it comes to a Level 4 drought, "Massachusetts has experienced little or no exceptional (D4) drought, so there are no D4-level drought impacts recorded in the Drought Impact Reporter." 

Water restrictions help conserve

Many communities have enacted water restrictions to deal with the weather conditions, with many officials stressing conservation of water since the beginning of the summer.

“No matter where you are, conservation is the key,” when it comes to water, said Ria Convery, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority spokesperson, in June. 

Brush fires blamed on drought

More random brush fires also broke out this week in Braintree, Gloucester and Taunton, adding to an already large number of them this summer. 

Brush fires have been scorching earth since May, with a massive brush fire at the Blue Hills Reservation in Canton in May, along with a large brush fire in Westford at the same time.

There was a mile-long brush fire on Route 2 at the end of June which shut down that highway, an 11-acre brush fire near Spencer on July 12, a brush fire that started on July 11 in Townsend that burned for several day,; and there have been random smaller brush fires reported in Massachusetts.

There have been an uptick in house fires as well. 

Two homes burned in Plymouth on July 22 and July 24. An historic home in Concord succumbed to flames on July 24. On July 12, flames destroyed a multi-million dollar home at 4 Mann St. in Hingham.  A triple-decker in Cambridge burned at the beginning of July. Six families were displaced by a fire in Revere on July 23. A house on North Main Street in Westford burned last Sunday. Firefighters suffered from heat exhaustion fighting in a five-alarm fire in East Boston on July 20.

Source - https://eu.wickedlocal.com