Several beaches in area off-limits

With the weather forecasters predicting hazy, hot and humid conditions with temperatures approaching 90 for the next few days, Preston Beach in Swampscott is closed at least until late this afternoon due to an elevated bacteria count while Lynn’s Kings Beach remains closed for the same reason.Director of Public Health Jeffrey Vaughan said the beaches in town are tested every Wednesday and the results are received 24 hours later.”We got the word late Thursday that there was elevated bacteria count at Preston beach,” he said.”Vaughan said the water at Preston Beach was tested again on Monday but the results won’t be available until late in the day on Tuesday.”It will remain closed until further notice,” he said. “Due to the heavy rains and an elevated bacteria count Preston Beach will be posted as No Swimming until further notice.”According to Vaughan, the bacteria levels are within acceptable ranges at all the other beaches in town including Fisherman’s Beach and the Swampscott end of Kings Beach.According to Department of Conservation and Recreation, Kings Beach in Lynn remains closed due to elevated bacteria levels, which may cause illness.Vaughan said runoff from Stacy Brook, which is on the Lynn side of the beach, might be contributing to higher bacteria levels on the Lynn end of the beach.