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Crews battle large brush fire in Massachusetts; 1 person found dead in another outdoor fire
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Crews battle large brush fire in Massachusetts; 1 person found dead in another outdoor fire

SALEM, Mass. (AP) — A woman died in an open fire at an encampment in Millbury Saturday night and Sunday crews were still battling a large overnight brush fire in Salem as dry and windy conditions increased the risk of forest fires in the south. New England.

When state police responded to a small brush fire in Millbury around 8:20 p.m. Saturday, a trooper found the woman dead in the encampment where the fire is believed to have started. The fire has been extinguished and an investigation is underway to determine the cause. Police noted that Massachusetts was under a red flag on Saturday, meaning any outdoor fires could spread quickly and be difficult to put out.

Another fire broke out Saturday evening in the woods near a Walmart store in Salem, on Highland Avenue between Cain Road and Old Village Drive. Flames were visible and smoke had filled the area. The fire chief estimated that 40 to 60 acres of forest burned, according to Boston25News. The fire was still active Sunday afternoon, a dispatcher said.

No injuries or evacuations were reported.

A red warning signal was in place Sunday for southern New Hampshire, where several brush fires broke out the day before. The National Weather Service warned that the combination of drought and winds gusting up to 56 kilometers per hour are expected to create critical fire weather conditions, leading to rapid fire growth in dead, dry vegetation.