As Massachusetts brush fires rage, suspect arrested for allegedly setting outdoor fire

As Massachusetts firefighters continue to battle a spike in outdoor fires across the state, a Boston man is in custody after officials said he set a brush fire outside the city over the weekend.

Devonte Johnson, 28, of Dorchester, was arrested Saturday on charges of setting fire to another's land, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and setting an open fire and burning trees or land, the Police Department of Milford Massachusetts reported.

According to investigators, Johnson set a brush fire that damaged land in a wooded area in Milford, a town just over 40 miles southwest of Dorchester.

Police did not release the extent of the damage.

Worcester County Sheriff's Office online records showed Johnson remained jailed Monday on $1,500.

It was not immediatly known whether he had obtained an attorney.

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Bans put in place after more than 100 brush fires break out in week span

The arrest comes on the heels of officials placing burning bans across the state after it saw more than 100 brush fires over a week span that began in late October. One fire claimed a woman's life in Millbury, about 15 miles northwest of where Johnson is accused of starting a fire over the weekend.

It was not immediately known whether Johnson is suspected of setting any of the other brush fires.

USA TODAY has reached out to Milford police.

Jake Wark, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, told USA TODAY, the fires come as weather conditions could cause leaves and dead vegetation to ignite or fuel existing fires.

How many acres are burning in Massachusetts?

As of late Sunday night, Wark told USA TODAY, 87 brush and wildland fires had been reported in the past seven days, burning nearly 483 acres. 

The tally includes four new fires reported in the previous 24 hours, Wark reported.

On Monday, state officials continued to warn residents to exercise caution with activities involving sparks, flames, or heat sources outside.

"With no precipitation, winds of 5 to 10 mph, fresh leaf litter, and direct sunlight on surface fuels, the outdoor fire risk remains very high today and because about 45% of Massachusetts homes are in or near wooded areas, any of these fires could put people and property in danger," state officials wrote in a press release on Monday.

Where are the brush fires in Massachusetts?

As of late Monday morning, some significant fires include: 

• Cain Hill (Salem/Lynn): 140 acres, 50% contained; 
• Middleton Pond (Middleton): 188 acres, 70% contained;
• Pappas (Canton): 33 acres, 90% contained;  
• Wolcott Hill / Blue Hills Reservation (Milton): 4 acres, 70% contained; 
• Curry 24 (Devens): 100 acres, 99% contained; 
• Maple Meadow (Wilmington): 10 acres, 70% contained; 
• Mt. Laurel (Holden): 6 acres, 95% contained; 
• Traders Way (Salem): 15 acres, 50% contained; 
• Old Forest Road (North Andover): 5 acres, 50% contained; 
• Bradway (Monson): 44 acres, 90% contained; 
• Castle Rock (Saugus): 22 acres, 80% contained; 
• Pond South (Middleton): 4 acres, 60% contained; 
• Fitzgerald (Northampton): 55 acres, 85% contained; 
• Moose Meadow (Montgomery): 60 acres, 20% contained; 
• Howe (Spencer): 9 acres, 80% contained. 

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Brush fire kills Millbury woman

Last weekend, a small brush fire claimed the life of a 49-year-old woman in Millbury, Massachusetts, about 50 miles southwest of Boston. It was believed to have originated in an encampment.

Maryann Audette was found dead at the scene of the fire, reported Telegram and Gazette, a part of the USA TODAY Network. A GoFundMe was created to help fund her funeral.

“As we confront an unprecedented fall fire season, I’m asking all our residents to protect themselves, their neighbors, and their communities by refraining from any outdoor activities that involve open flames, sparks and embers, or other heat sources,” Gov. Maura Healey released in a statement obtained by USA TODAY Monday. “I especially want to thank the firefighters who have been battling these fires, very often for days at a time and across the state from their homes and families. We have seen truly remarkable efforts from our fire service."

How to avoid starting a brush fire

To avoid starting a brush fire, the state Department of Fire Services recommends the following:

• Avoid cooking outdoors;
• Use caution when using lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment as their engines can heat up enough to ignite leaves and grass;
• Dispose of ashes from fireplaces or wood stoves by placing them in a metal can, dousing them with water and then covering it with a tight-fitting lid;
• Smoke materials should be extinguished in a sturdy ashtray;
• Donot throw cigarettes or other smoking materials over a balcony or into vegetation or debris.

Open burning in the state is prohibited through January, officials said.

Contributing: Julia Gomez

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.