Conditions Bring Fire Danger

A brush fire broke out Sunday in Sudbury, Massachusetts.

It's a red flag warning day, meaning conditions are ripe for brush fires.

Climb some 74 feet up a tower, and at the top, you'll find seasonal forest firefighters like Tom Benoit - the eyes in the sky for local fire departments.

Sunday afternoon, Benoit spotted the brush fire popping up in Sudbury.

It's been a busy season. There have been brush fires in some 70 communities across Massachusetts, with over 1100 acres burned. This weekend, 12 acres scorched in Sandwich alone.

Dave Celino, the chief fire warden for the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation, says a number factors including high temperatures, low humidity, lack of rainfall and gusty winds have made for a dangerous setup.

Workers on the fire towers keep an eye on the terrain. They can see about 50 miles in each direction. They communicate with local firefighters on the ground with critical information on location, size, and how fast a brush fire could be spreading.

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