WORCESTER COUNTY, Mass. - The conditions have been keeping firefighters around Worcester County on alert and in some cases busy battling flames.

The Fire Danger sign outside the Upton Fire and EMS Headquarters read as 'high' which is a three out of five on Tuesday. Local fire departments are telling Spectrum News 1 they're monitoring for brushfires and providing mutual aid when needed.

Firefighters put out a structure completely engulfed in flames on North Street in Upton on Monday. Multiple departments, including Grafton, responded.

The same day, the Grafton Fire Department provided mutual aid to the area of Kelly Road and Hill Street in Northbridge where a grass field fire spread to nearby woods.

Northbridge Fire Chief David White said about 6 acres burned. They also got help from Sutton and Upton firefighters.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of the state remains in a severe to moderate drought.

Chief White said adding high winds to the already dry conditions helps flames spread quickly, especially during open burning season.

“It's open burning season. We are in, still, a drought condition. This time of year, we get fires that burn fast because of the winds we have," White said. "And you know, obviously we're cautioning everyone about burning because, you know, it is windy. It's just the nature of the game. We see this pretty much every year. It's a little drier this year than normal, but we'll see where the season takes us. I would say we're all pretty much prepared for it.”

Open burning is allowed from mid-winter to early spring in Massachusetts, but it is prohibited in 22 cities and towns. You have to contact your local fire department to get an open burning permit.