Wenham Fire Department

As a result of the large snowstorm, residents can expect to see large snow hills created by plows, often great for playing and sledding. 

Wenham Police and Fire would like to remind residents and their children to be cautious when playing in the snow. Large snow hills can be dangerous, especially if they are located near the street. 

Children should never sled or play near the road or bodies of water. Plows are still out sanding streets and removing snow. 

Residents are also reminded that the state got over a foot of snow during the weekend’s storm, with more snow possibly in the forecast this weekend. We urge residents to be cautious in and around the snow, as mailboxes, railings, fire hydrants, or stonewalls may have been covered during the storm, which could be dangerous. 

Community members who live next to a fire hydrant should also take the time to shovel around the hydrant to make it easily accessible for firefighters. 

When playing outside, children should wear weather-appropriate clothing to protect them against the cold, and dress in bright-colored clothing so they are visible to traveling vehicles.

A winter storm warning has been issued across the state as heavy snow and cold temperatures are expected Saturday through Monday. 

Wenham Police and Fire would like to remind residents to use caution if they are traveling, and to leave enough room for plows. Residents are also reminded to never go near downed wires or power lines. 

Residents who lose power or are in need of assistance are asked to call the Wenham Police and Fire Departments’ non-emergency lines. Heating centers will be available for residents. 

Forecasts also call for wind chill temperatures below zero on Saturday and Sunday. Residents are advised to dress appropriately when going outdoors. 

The National Weather Service provides the following safety tips for dealing with extreme cold weather:

When going outside:

• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
• Wear a hat.
• Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
• Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.

Protect your home’s pipes:

• Let hot and cold water trickle or drip at night from a faucet.
• Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or near an outer wall.
• Make sure heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees.

• Make sure you and your family know how to shut off the water, in case pipes burst.
• NEVER try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch. Use a hair dryer instead.
• Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.

Home Preparation:

• Install a carbon monoxide detector.
• NEVER run generators indoors.
• NEVER use a gas oven to heat your home.
• If your heat goes out, keep warm indoors by closing off rooms you do not need, dressing in layers of lightweight clothing, and wearing a hat.

Vehicle Preparation:

• Check your battery
• Check your fluids (coolant, wiper fluid, oil, etc)
• Check your tires
• Have jumper cables
• Stock your car with blankets, clothing, etc.

The 2026 Open Burning Season begins on Thursday, Jan. 15, and ends on May 1. 

Open burning during this period is governed by the following regulations: Issuance of permit by local fire department, only permitted between 10 a. m. and 4 p.m. daily, must be 75 feet from any building or structure, and constant attendance and supervision. For permit obtainment, check with your local fire department. 

Residents are specifically allowed to burn the following:

• Brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris
• Agricultural materials, including fruit tree and bush prunings, raspberry stalks, and infected beehives
• Trees and brush from agricultural land clearing
• Fungus-infected elm wood, if no other acceptable means of disposal are available

Residents are prohibited from burning the following:

• Leaves of any origin
• Brush, cane, trees, or driftwood obtained from commercial or industrial land clearing
• Grass, hay, tree stumps, or tires
• Construction or demolition materials
• Household trash of any type

Those found to be in violation of open burning policies can face large fines and potential jail time. Local fire departments also reserve the right to deny any resident a permit due to hazardous weather conditions or other non-permitting circumstances. 

For further information, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/open-burning-safety

As holiday festivities begin, it is important to keep safety in mind when decorating so celebrations at home remain comfortable and fun.

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) reports that from 2020 to 24, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 143 home fires each year involving Christmas trees. Nearly half were caused by electrical issues. Almost one in four started when a tree was placed too close to a heat source.

Fire prevention begins before the tree enters the home. After choosing a tree, cut two inches from the base of the trunk before placing it in the stand. Keep trees and wreaths at least three feet from any heat sources and water them daily.

Dried-out trees and wreaths are fire hazards and should not be left inside or near home structures. Contact local officials to find a community recycling program to dispose of live trees safely.

Families should also test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before the holidays.

For more holiday safety tips from the NFPA:
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/winter-holidays

As the holiday season begins, it is important to remember cooking safety tips to ensure your meals go smoothly and successfully. 

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) reported that Thanksgiving is the peak day of the year for home cooking fires, with over three times the daily average of cooking fires. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve follow closely behind, with both days having nearly twice the daily average.

According to NFPA, unattended cooking was the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths. Cooking also causes half of reported home fires, almost two of every five home fire injuries, and is a leading cause of home fire deaths.

To prevent cooking fires, never leave anything cooking on the stovetop unsupervised, and stay home with meals that require an oven. Remember to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working prior to the holiday, and keep children away from the stove, hot foods, knives, kitchen appliances, and cords.
Click here for more of the NFPA’s holiday cooking tips.

Veterans Day is observed on Nov. 11 each year to honor and recognize veterans everywhere and thank them for their service, including members of our own department who served in the military.

Veterans Day is a chance to reflect on the country’s history and the sacrifices that have led to the freedoms we enjoy. It is an opportunity to reach out to and connect with the veterans who have given so much to protect their communities.

Their dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our country and the protection of its citizens do not go unnoticed. We thank them for their service not only today, but every day. 

Daylight Saving Time ends on Nov. 2 this year, and the department would like to remind residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they turn their clocks back for Daylight Saving Time. 

Clocks will be moved back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide alarms play a crucial role in emergency scenarios.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that from 201 to 2022, 59% of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (43%) or no working smoke alarms (16%).

The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is about 60% lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked, according to the NFPA.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, more than 400 people in the U.S. die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.

Today, on National First Responders Day, we pause to honor the bravery and sacrifice of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers.

These dedicated professionals put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and respond in times of crisis. We are grateful for their service and commitment.

We are proud to stand alongside our fellow first responders and grateful for the trust and collaboration that allows us to serve our community together.

Fire Chief Stephen B. Kavanagh and Police Chief Kevin DiNapoli report that the Wenham Police and Fire Departments responded Monday to a rollover crash that damaged a utility pole.

On Monday, July 7, at approximately 4 p.m., Wenham Police and Fire were called to Larch Row, between Main Street and Four Corners, for a report of a crash.

First responders arrived at the scene to discover a single-vehicle crash involving a commercial tree truck that struck a utility pole and rolled onto its side. There were no reported injuries.

The crash destroyed a utility pole at the scene, and forced first responders to close Larch Row between Main Street and Four Corners while repairs are made to the utility pole. The road is expected to remain closed for several hours.

The Wenham Fire Department also worked to contain a small spill of oil from a transformer and liquid fertilizer from the tree truck. An environmental group is also responding to the scene to clean up those spills.

The crash also caused a small power outage in the immediate area. National Grid is expected to restore power once the utility pole has been repaired.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Wenham Police Department.

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WENHAM – Chief Stephen B. Kavanagh reports that the Wenham Fire Department battled a large brush fire yesterday afternoon.  

On Wednesday, April 9, at approximately 3:28 p.m., Northshore Regional 911 received reports of a brush fire in the area of the Danvers-Wenham SwampWalk and alerted Wenham Fire.  

Upon arrival, crews located an actively burning brush fire that appeared to be growing rapidly due to winds.  

Firefighters used pumps and tanker trucks to attack the flames. Wenham Fire struck a third alarm to bring additional resources to the scene.  

After six hours, the fire was extinguished. Crews remained on-scene to monitor any hot spots. 

There were no reported injuries.

Mutual aid was provided by the Hamilton, Danvers, Boxford, Topsfield, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Middleton Fire Departments, and the Massachusetts Department of Forestry. 

Rehab 5 and Five Sons Pizza provided food and drinks to crews on-scene.  

Station coverage was provided by Ipswich Fire, Peabody Fire, Salem Fire and Beauport Ambulance.  

Wenham Fire returned to the scene this morning to continue to monitor any hot spots.

“I would like to thank our mutual aid partners for their diligent work in assisting and supporting us,” said Chief Kavanagh. “We are grateful to Rehab 5 and Five Sons Pizza for providing us with food and drinks during our hours-long response.”  

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