Lack of Rain Causes Brush Fires, Water Restrictions

The forecast for Westwood this weekend may just be what the doctor ordered. 

The National Weather Service released a special weather statement on Wednesday regarding the heightened risk of fires due to the dry air.

"High pressure will slowly move into the region today, bringing more dry conditions," the statement read. "Relative humidities are expected to fall to between 15 and 20 percent across most of the region away from the coast."

But according to the NWS, there will be a 50 percent chance of rain on Saturday night, with a 70 percent chance of showers through Sunday and Monday. 

That will be a welcome change for the dry air that has pummeled the area this spring. Brush fires warnings have been issued across the state, on Wednesday.

That fire covered three acres and was contained by the Westwood and Dover fire departments, while Norwood and Walpole fire departments covered the stations in Westwood.

"It's just drier than normal," Westwood Fire Chief William Scoble said this week. "This is more like July/August type of weather. That's when we get the mulch fires. Normally the mulch is wet and damp after the winter, so it's not a problem."

Moreover, the lack of rain has prompted the Dedham-Westwood Water District to issue for residents in both towns almost two months earlier than normal.