Brush Fire at Broadmoor

On the evening of August 16, Broadmoor experienced a brush fire that burned rapidly and grew to approximately 5.8 acres. Firefighters were called to the scene and were able to extinguish the flames within several hours, continuing to monitor the perimeter through the following morning to ensure it did not restart. 

The impacted area consists mainly of grasslands; larger trees and bird boxes were not damaged, and our trails were left unaffected. While the cause of the fire is unknown, we’re grateful for the quick response from the Natick, Framingham, Wayland, Hopkinton, Sherborn, Ashland, and Dover fire departments, who kept the impacts relatively low and people unharmed.

On occasion, ecosystems like ours can experience modest fires. Infrequent, controllable brush burns help maintain a healthy nutrient cycle, and can actually encourage regrowth. However, when fires are large and destructive, they have the opposite affect by burning mature trees and destroying the larger ecosystem.

The current drought in Massachusetts adds a layer of concern, as the plants and land are significantly drier than usual. Special care should be taken to prevent an accidental fire since, as seen in this case, they spread rapidly.