PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The region finally saw its first meaningful rainfall on Thursday after nearly two months of severe drought conditions. While Thursday was a soggy, gloomy day in Rhode Island, many found the rainy weather to be a welcome relief. For Smithfield Deputy Fire Chief Steven Quattrini, it was a breath of fresh air, with the last real downpour occurring on Oct. 7. "I loved it. I think all the members loved it too," Quattrini said. "It brought us a little bit of ease." Firefighters across Rhode Island and Massachusetts have been battling fires fueled by the drought. Earlier this week, the Smithfield Fire Department was called to Burlingame Road, where crews spent seven hours extinguishing a fire that scorched two acres. "It's so dry, any little spark, ember at all will take off fairly quick," Quattrini explained, noting that these are the worst conditions he's seen in his 31 years of service. Massachusetts surpasses 400 brush fires in November as dry spell continues While Thursday’s rain offered some temporary relief, Quattrini remains cautious, predicting that dry conditions will return by next week. "It's probably not going to be enough. Even though the surface is going to be wet, within a couple of days the wind will dry us out," Quattrini said. He added that snow is what will truly ease the conditions. In the meantime, Quattrini urges the public to cooperate with officials by avoiding outdoor fires and being mindful when disposing of smoking materials. "Don’t burn — let Mother Nature take over. Give us some rain, and we’ll be good to go," he said. Beyond the Forecast: How much snow do we need to make up for the lack of rain? Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Pinpoint Weather 12 Alerts SIGN UP NOW