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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.

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