Massachusetts firefighters continue to fight stubborn bushfires across the state, with officials urging residents to take precautions to avoid starting new fires.

Hundreds of acres in the greater Boston area have already burned in the past week, and new fires have broken out in the western and central parts of the state.

In Massachusetts, an average of 15 wildfires are reported each October. This year the monthly total has plateaued at around 200, an increase of around 1,200 per cent above average, rivaling the monthly figures usually seen during the traditional bushfire season in early spring.

About 100 fires were reported in the last seven days of the month and preliminary information indicates that all were caused by human activity, according to firefighters. Fires incited some communities last week to cancel school classes and Halloween activities.

The National Weather Service issued a “red flag” warning for much of eastern Massachusetts on Friday. The warning means the region, which has experienced dry and hot weather, is at high risk of fire.

Firefighters reminded residents that open fires are prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round.

They also urged residents to avoid cooking and heating outdoors and to use caution when using power equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Engines can become hot enough to ignite dry leaves and grass.

Firefighters also warned against throwing cigarette butts, matches or other smoking objects over the edge of a balcony, crushing them on stairs or railings, or throwing them in dry vegetation or debris.

On Saturday, a Boston man was arrested in connection with a brush fire in Milford. The man was accused of setting fire to other people’s land and burning land, trees, wood and produce.

More than a quarter of this year’s bush and forest fires occurred in October, according to Fire Chief David Celino of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The October fires also accounted for more than half of the 1,158 acres burned so far this year.