City of Cambridge, MA

11/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2024 17:01

Open Burning is Always Prohbited in Cambridge

A "Red Flag" high fire danger emergency has been in place in Massachusetts for several days. Outsde burning is not permitted due to the extremely dry weather and high winds. An outside fire can very easily spread to large areas of brush and to buildings.

In spite of the continual "Red Flag" high fire danger warnings, last evening Engine 5 & Ladder 2 responded to a "smoke in the area" call which was caused by a burning fire pit in the very congested Inman Square area! The fire was quickly extinguished. A few nights earlier, Engine 4 responded to a burning fire pit in the densely populated North Cambridge district. This fire was quickly extinguished.

Consider the conflagration potential in the neighborhoods! A fire pit, fanned by the gusty winds, can easily extend to houses in the area and result in destruction of homes & commercial properties.