SAUGUS — In the newest Town Manager’s report, the Director of Public Health John Fralick sat down with Town Manager Scott Crabtree to alert the public about the current drought, and health issues that could be caused by the consistent smoke.
“As of last week, 98% of the state is in a severe drought, and that’s pretty significant,” Crabtree said.
In November alone, it has been reported that there have been 317 fires in the state of Massachusetts, and the smoke is a cause for concern healthwise.
Fralick first focused his discussion on the drought in the state.
“The Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs issued a critical drought statement for the entire state of Massachusetts outside of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard,” Fralick said.
He also said that there has been a four-inch decrease in the typical rains that the state receives during the month of November.
“We are now seeing a situation where [with] the general dryness of the air and the land … these brush fires are starting to become more and more of an issue,” he said.
Fralick explained that the increase in forest fires isn’t causing a huge danger in the air but is causing an increase in black carbon. Black carbon can cause issues for those who suffer from respiratory illnesses.
Fralick also said that the critical drought would last until the end of the year and well into 2025, until the water table resets.
“More often than not, what we look for in these situations for the water table to reset is kind of a heavy winter. Once again, the only way it resets is with a heavy amount of precipitation,” he said.
There have been multiple days of rain now, which has helped out with the fires and the dryness of the town, but more will be needed to have a major impact.
Fralick added that the town needs to focus on water conservation while it goes through this drought period.
“From a business standpoint and a residential standpoint … more often than not, what we’re looking for in a drought is a water conservation effort,” Fralick said.
Residents should be checking their water meters, only do full loads for washing machines and dishwashers, and hold off on washing cars or patios as part of the conservation effort.
Saugus does not currently have a water ban set in place, but the town is strongly discouraging any unnecessary use of water at this time.
The town is also monitoring the smoke from the fires to ensure public safety. As of right now, there are no public advisories in place, but locals will be kept updated as more information is received.
