hopkinton-independent-logo2x
Hopkinton, MA
loader-image
Hopkinton, US
2:50 am, Wednesday, May 20, 2026
67°F
90 %
Wind Gust: 3 mph
Clouds: 12%
Sunrise: 5:20 am
Sunset: 8:05 pm

SIGN UP TODAY!
BREAKING NEWS & DAILY NEWSLETTER





HFD tackles brush fire, burning logs on truck

by | Apr 24, 2025 | Featured: News, News

HFD brush fire

Firefighters enter a patch of woods following a brush fire on Falcon Ridge Road. PHOTO/HOPKINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

A brush fire on Falcon Ridge Road and a log truck fire kept the Hopkinton Fire Department busy Thursday afternoon.

The HFD received a call at 12:48 p.m. reporting a brush fire at 28 Falcon Ridge Road. HFD chief Gary Daugherty said crews arrived to find “about two acres of brush burning.”

Due to the lack of nearby hydrants and the fire’s location several hundred feet into the woods, crews from four towns were called to assist. Hopedale and Upton provided tanker trucks to bring in water, while Westborough and Southborough provided additional manpower.

“We had about a total of 20 firefighters on scene,” Daugherty noted.

Firefighters controlled the blaze within 30 minutes and remained an additional hour wetting everything down. “We didn’t want it to rekindle,” Daugherty explained.

No injuries or property damage were reported as a result of the brush fire.

HFD log truck

A Hopkinton firefighter stands beside a truck carrying burning logs. PHOTO/HOPKINTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

Around 5 p.m., the HFD responded to reports of a truck fire on West Main Street between Oakhurst Road and DJ Murphy Lane. Upon arrival, it was determined the logs the truck was carrying had caught fire.

After knocking down the fire, operations were moved so that rush hour traffic could continue to flow while firefighters worked to douse each log.

“We offloaded logs that were on fire, thoroughly soaked them, then put them back on the truck,” said Daugherty. He added that the truck belonged to a company based in Upton.

Daugherty said it was unclear why the logs caught fire. “They’re 30-inch logs,” he said. “I’m not sure what the source of ignition would have been.”

As for the brush fire, he explained it was the result of a permit fire that got out of hand. Saying the incident was “truly accidental,” Daugherty still cautioned residents to be mindful as burning season continues.

“I would tell people because things are dry to use an abundance of caution,” said Daugherty. He noted how easily wind gusts can spread embers.

Despite recent rain events, Hopkinton still is in critical drought status. The HFD temporarily banned outdoor burning last fall due to drought conditions, though open burning season began Jan. 15.

0 Comments

Related Articles

McSweeney, Irwin win School Committee seats in Annual Town Election

School Committee chair Kyla McSweeney will return for another term, joined by newcomer Sandra Irwin, in the main contested race in Monday’s Annual Town Election. McSweeney garnered a total of 679 votes, winning all five precincts. Irwin won 529 votes, coming in...

Election ballot

Main Street hydrant test expected to cause water discoloration

The Water-Sewer Department will be conducting a required hydrant flow test on Main Street on Tuesday. The test is scheduled for 10 p.m. at 13 Main Street. In a notice to residents, Water-Sewer Manager Jed Fenneuff said officials were anticipating the flow test to...

Fire hydrant

Ramps at I-90/I-495 interchange to close overnight this week

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced it will close two ramps overnight at the Interstate 90/Interstate 495 interchange in Hopkinton starting Monday. The I-90 eastbound ramp to I-495 northbound will be closed Monday and Tuesday night between 11...

MassDOT logo

Work on Echo Trail parking area starts this week

Work on the Echo Trail parking area will start this week and is expected to continue through the rest of the month, the Hopkinton Trails Committee announced. During this time, the parking area may be temporarily closed or have limited availability. The Trails...

Echo Trail

2026 Annual Town Election: Candidate list, bios

Following is a list of the positions and candidates that will appear on the May 18 Annual Town Election ballot. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at Hopkinton Middle School’s Brown Gym. Also included are responses (from those who chose to participate) to our...

Annual Town Election candidates 2026
Key Storage 4.14.22