(WPRI) — Dangerously dry conditions have put fire departments across Massachusetts on high alert over the past couple of months, as the Commonwealth contends with an unprecedented number of brush fires. Massachusetts Department of Fire Services' Jake Wark told 12 News the state has already seen more than 400 brush fires this month alone. That number is expected to climb, especially with nearly the entire state experiencing critical drought conditions. “Every firefighter battling a preventable wildfire is one who can’t respond to a house fire, car crash, or medical emergency,” Wark said. “We won’t be out of the woods until we have a few days of steady, soaking rain that gets past the surface fuels and deep into the ground.” This comes after the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services reported a 1,200% increase in brush fires statewide last month. “The fires in this unprecedented fall fire season have burned more than 1,700 acres – exceeding the acreage that burned in all of 2023,” Wark added. SEE ALSO: Attleboro facing water supply emergency as drought drags on For Massachusetts Chief Fire Warden Dave Celino, the sheer volume of brush fires is "hard to even describe." "We just went over 3,000 acres burned for the year," Celino explained. "In 20 years, we haven't seen that." Celino said the brush fires are growing in intensity as the drought drags on, which is taking a toll on the firefighters tasked with knocking them down. "It's to the point where the daily message is we want our firefighters to come home safe every night," Celino said. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) generally prohibits outdoor burning statewide between Jan. 15 and May 1. Wark said more than 200 cities and towns have across the state have already issued their own burn bans. Celino said that the brush fires plaguing the state have all been caused by humans in some way, which is why he is urging residents to heed their warnings. "If you leave a campfire unattended right now, it will — there's no question — it will escape and cause a wildfire," Celino explained. "If you decide to burn a debris pile in your backyard, there's a good chance that an ember will start a fire." Though rain is expected later this week, Celino said it won't completely eradicate the heightened brush fire risk. "That will take the ignition probability down to a low level ... but it will not suppress these fires," Celino said. "These fires are burning deep." "We'll be working and watching them — keeping them within their perimeters — probably until it snows," he continued. Rhode Island has also seen its fair share of brush fires. The R.I. Department of Environmental Management said firefighters have responded to 68 brush fires this year, with more than half of those occurring over the last two months. Anyone who notices flames, smoke or other signs of a brush fire is urged to call it in immediately so firefighters can investigate and contain it as quickly as possible. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Pinpoint Weather 12 Today SIGN UP NOW