KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) With fire danger reaching critical levels, Keene officials have suspended all open burning and consumer fireworks until further notice as dry, windy weather continues to grip southwestern New Hampshire.

City fire officials announced the immediate ban this week, citing persistent drought conditions and forecasted wind gusts that have made the area especially vulnerable to wildfires. “Until the ‘Red Flag Fire Danger’ banner is removed from our website, this prohibition will remain active,” the department stated, urging residents to direct questions to the on-duty fire captain at 603-357-9861.

The heightened alert comes on the heels of a major brush fire in Winchester that erupted Tuesday afternoon around 2 p.m. Fanned by strong winds, the blaze quickly grew into a four-alarm emergency, drawing nearly 100 firefighters and more than 25 regional agencies. As of this morning, fire crews were still working to contain the flames, which have scorched over 40 acres near Mountain Turnpike and Stone Mountain Road. Residents are being asked to avoid the area as fire apparatus continue operations along Richmond Road and Old Mountain Turnpike Road.

Officials say the fire threat has been exacerbated by lingering drought conditions from last fall, which have left the ground parched and vegetation primed to ignite. Nearly 75% of New Hampshire is currently classified as abnormally dry, according to state data, and wildfires are already outpacing last year’s totals. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources reports a 24% increase in wildfire incidents, with burned acreage nearly doubling over 2023 figures.

While the National Weather Service lifted its Red Flag Warning for southern parts of the state earlier this week, the danger remains. Humidity levels in the region have been hovering between 20 and 28 percent, and northwest winds gusting up to 25 miles per hour continue to challenge firefighting efforts.

Cheshire County communities including Hinsdale, Richmond, Roxbury, Stoddard and Winchester have enacted similar burn bans, reflecting a unified push to minimize new fire starts during this high-risk period.

Forecasts suggest that some relief could come by late Friday, which will bring thunderstorms and the weekend bringing showers. However, fire officials caution that even with precipitation, dry ground cover and springtime vegetation will keep the risk elevated.

Keene residents are urged to comply with the ban and check the city’s website regularly for updates. In the meantime, fire officials remind the public to never leave campfires unattended and to ensure all fires are fully extinguished before leaving an area.