A press release put out by the Hopkinton Fire Department on Tuesday underscores just how bad drought conditions in town and across the state have become.

In the press release, Chief Gary Daugherty announced there would be a temporary prohibition on all “open, recreational and cooking fires or other sources of ignition.”

Extreme drought conditions have resulted in heightened fire hazards, “making open flames or ignition sources especially risky.” 

A lack of precipitation, continuous strong winds, leaf litter and direct light on fuel sources all lead to a high risk of outdoor fires, according to the Department of Fire Services.

The effect of these conditions has been noticeable throughout the region and the state. 

A half-acre of land burned in Milford after an alleged arsonist set a parcel of land on Route 140 on fire. Fires in Salem and Middleton burned 140 and 188 acres, respectively.

In the past week, the state has experienced 87 fires, which have burned more than 483 acres.

Related: Hopkinton fire crews tackle ‘multiple brush fires’ off MassPike

“The number of brush fires this season is 2-3 times the national average,” Daugherty said in a follow-up interview with the Independent.

The average monthly fire count in Massachusetts for the month of October is 16, according to Daugherty. Last month, the number exceeded 200.

While the town has not experienced fires of the same intensity as other municipalities, the Hopkinton Fire Department has responded to at least one brush fire already. 

Daugherty stated that crews tackled a fire on the town line by the E.L. Harvey & Sons recycling center on Wood Street this past Friday night. It was reported that an arcing power line caused the fire.

A tweet from the Hopkinton Fire Department warns residents of an elevated fire risk.

Equally as concerned with drought conditions in town is Water/Sewer Department manager Eric Carty.

“We’ve only had an inch-and-a-half of rain in two months,” said Carty.

As a result, his department has been forced to cut back the town’s wells as they pull from further out in the aquifer. 

Water use has declined in town as the seasons have shifted, but use of existing wells has not changed due to the lack of rain. 

“Normally we have other wells we shut off this time of year,” said Carty. “Right now, with the situation we’re in, we’re keeping those wells running.”

As the water from those wells is taken from deeper in the aquifer, sediments and elements like iron and manganese are pulled along with it, affecting water quality.

When asked about what it would take to replenish the water supply back to normal levels, Carty explained the town would need “a significant amount of rain to catch all the way back up.”

Some rain is expected in the coming weeks, but not enough to move the town out of drought conditions. According to Carty, forecasts through the winter are not all that promising either.

The length of the drought is perhaps more concerning than anything. “I don’t know that it’s the most severe, but it’s lasted longer than other droughts in near memory,” said Carty.

Both Carty and Daugherty are asking residents to be diligent about water use and fire safety, as one impacts the other.

Said Carty: “It would put a significant dent in [the water supply] if we had to start fighting brush fires in addition to what we’re dealing with now.”

The town has asked residents to avoid “unnecessary water use” as drought conditions persist. Carty also recommends people use water judiciously, and employ “common sense methods” to limit water use when possible.

Daugherty stressed that all outdoor burning should cease, and residents take precautions when disposing of ash from indoor fireplaces. 

“We don’t want that being dumped into the woods,” he said.

It is recommended that residents dispose of ashes by dousing them with water and storing them in metal containers.

Other methods to reduce the risk of brush fires includes exercising caution with outdoor power equipment, such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Spilled gasoline, hot engines and sparks can ignite dry leaves and grass. Any smoking materials should be disposed of properly.

Residents with any concerns can reach out to the Fire Department and the Water/Sewer Department for more information.