Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: March 27

Fire Danger is high this week and so are our blog views.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Did you know there is a farmhouse off Ash Street that is more than 200 years old? The house sits on the 80-acre Elmwood Farm, which is under agreement to be sold by the end of this year. There will be a walk-through of the property at 10 a.m. on March 31. 2. If you’re a soccer player don’t miss out on your chance to register for Abbey Villa’s Youth Soccer Club. The training is for 6 to 9 year olds and is held daily on the Cornell’s fields. For more information visit http://abbeyvillasoccer.com/ 3. The Hopkinton Women’s Cub is looking for submissions for the cover of…

• Photos (1)

Worst Fire Conditions in 20 Years, Chief Says

Strong winds, lack of rainfall and no runoff from snowmelt creates conditions that are “ripe for a serious fire.”

For the first time all year the Fire Department had to respond to a brush fire on Thursday night. According to Hopkinton Fire Chief Ken Clark firefighters spent about two hours dealing with a fire that appeared to be out, but was sparking up in a different area. With conditions as dry as they have been this year the soil dries out which can allow a fire to smolder underground and spread to different areas even though the fire appears to be out on the surface. “The conditions this year are ripe for a serious fire,” Clark said. “Our chances for a serious fire are probably the worst they’ve been in 20 years.” The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a red flag fire warning for Hopkinton and most of Middlesex County.  "Above normal …

• Photos (1)