MERRIMAC — Chief Larry Fisher and the Merrimac Fire Department announce that the bonfire that traditionally accompanies Merrimac Old Home Days will not occur this year due to dramatically increased fire danger due to the ongoing severe drought.
Old Home Days will take place from Aug. 12-14, with a variety of community events and activities for residents and visitors of all ages. While the bonfire will not occur this year, there will be a laser show to close out the festivities on Saturday, Aug. 13 beginning at 8 p.m.
For more information about Old Home Days, visit merrimacohd.com.
With a level three drought still in effect for Merrimac and all Essex County, as well as an ongoing outdoor watering ban affecting the community, Merrimac Fire has determined that canceling this year’s bonfire is the most prudent and safest approach.
“While we regret that this tradition will not go forward as usual, we move forward knowing that this is the safest approach to take as our area is facing a significant drought and mandatory water restrictions,” Chief Fisher said. “This was a difficult decision, which we made after thoughtful consideration and collaboration with our partner agencies, and it’s one we believe to be in the best interest of our community.”
Merrimac Fire has made this determination after close consultation with its partners at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) — which is tasked with fighting wildfires — and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. All agencies involved agreed that a bonfire would not be advisable in the current conditions.
DCR teams have been working continuously for more than two weeks to combat brush fires of varying size and severity throughout the state. MassDEP, which governs outside burning, concurs with Merrimac Fire’s determination that starting a large fire at this time would be a significant danger to the surrounding area.
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