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Mass. Officials Expect Extended Fire Season

State officials are expecting a higher-risk fire season this year.

Ed Lambert, commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, says firefighters have already dealt with 150 wildfires so far this year, including a large one in Brimfield that was put out Thursday morning.

"There has been a lack of snow pack this winter, we've had a particularly dry winter and thus far a dry spring," Lambert said. "But conditions are such that we expect an extended fire season."

Lambert says the risk of brush and wildfires is highest in western Massachusetts, where tornadoes downed trees last year.

He adds that the state has a tower system to spot fires, and crews are working to remove dead trees from state forests.

This program aired on April 5, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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