CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Despite the efforts of firefighters and the state remaining under a red flag warning, brush fires continue to burn across Massachusetts.

There’s been an alarming number of fires in the area with recent incidents in Chicopee and Monson. The number of brush fires continues to increase throughout the area.

Most recently, we saw a fire spanned over eight acres along the Massachusetts Turnpike in Chicopee. Also in Hampden County, a multi-day brush fire began last week in the town of Monson. That one spanned 43 acres between Bradway and Butler Road, and crews are still watching for hot spots.

“We determined there was an ember in a tree somewhere and the following day when the wind picked up, it made that ember become active and blew into the unburned area of the mountain,” said Chief Brian Harris for Monson Fire Department.

Over 100 firefighters were called to this fire, which burned some parts 12 to 14 inches deep into the ground. One firefighter was also taken to the hospital due to heat exhaustion.

To prevent similar incidents, it is recommended to empty your pellet and wood stove ash into a metal bucket and soak it with water to make sure there are no embers before disposing of it.

Officials say all these brush fires come after months of dry weather conditions and people not properly disposing of hazardous products. “You need to watch out with disposable cigarettes, you need to watch where people are parking their cars, parking them in the leaves with modern catalytic converters they get very hot and that could cause a fire,” said Springfield Fire Commissioner, B.J. Calvi.

Due to the high risk of fires, fire officials announced that outdoor fires are banned. This includes fire pits, chimneys, outdoor fireplaces, cooking fires, and recreational fires since these brush fires can easily spread to structures and homes.

Under state law, residents in violation of an open burn ban could face fines of up to $500 plus the cost to suppress a fire.