Sunny, breezy weather creates high fire danger with brush fires reported in Epsom and Canterbury

Concord fire crews put out a brush fire May 13, 2020.

Concord fire crews put out a brush fire May 13, 2020. Jay L. Heath

A firefighter works to tap down the burning ambers of a brush fire off of Mt. Delight Road in Epsom on Friday. The fire threatened several houses along the road.

A firefighter works to tap down the burning ambers of a brush fire off of Mt. Delight Road in Epsom on Friday. The fire threatened several houses along the road. GEOFF FORESTER / Monitor staff

By DAVID BROOKS

Monitor staff

Published: 04-18-2025 10:58 AM

Modified: 04-18-2025 4:15 PM


Wildfire season is here, says the state Division of Forest and Lands, which ranked Friday as the first “high danger” day of the year for fires.

Brush fires were reported on Mount Delight Road in Epsom and Baptist Hill Road in Canterbury on Friday.

Early spring is usually a time of high risk for wildfires in New Hampshire because trees have not yet produced leaves that provide shade, so the ground dries out quickly on sunny days, and because it’s often breezy, which can spread flames quickly.

That combination was in effect Friday, with temperatures hitting the mid-60s, wind gusting up to 30 miles per hour and low relative humidity of around 15 percent. The conditions led to the high danger ranking for the entire state. Outdoor burning will be limited; check with your local fire department.

Showers are expected through the weekend so the danger may not last, but it may return next week.

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