On Friday, the National Weather Service declared a “red flag” warning for the area. Much of Eastern Massachusetts, which means the area is at high fire risk. The service implored people not to cook outside.

Fires continue to burn beyond October, when nearly 200 wildfires were reported; That’s 1,200 percent more than the 15 fires normally seen this month, according to the state.

There’s little sign of rain in the forecast, so conditions don’t look set to improve even as the weather cools, the Globe’s weather team reported.

Many of the fires reported earlier in the week, some of which continue to burn, occurred primarily in the eastern third of the state, shrouding Boston in a smoky haze as it battles fires, including large fires north of Boston earlier this week .

Two of the largest fires that continue to burn were at the Cain Hill Fire near Salem and Lynn; 140 acres burned here, and the fire was only 50 percent contained by Friday. According to the statement made on Friday, the fire that broke out in Middleton Pond scorched 188 acres and 70 percent of it was under control.

The state said there were several factors helping fan the flames: Continued dry, windy weather, a new blanket of freshly fallen leaves ready to burn, and, of course, people. The state essentially said that the origin of all these fires appeared to be human activity.

Some observers see this as part of changing patterns and rising temperatures resulting from climate change. Boston has recorded just 2.30 inches of rain since September 1, making it the second driest fall ever. More than 5 inches behind the fall average and the city like that It’s in what the National Weather Service calls a “severe drought.”

High pressure, which drives away rainstorms, is expected to linger just southeast of New England next week.

Officials said Saturday they had repeatedly activated the “Statewide Fire Mobilization Plan” to bring local firefighters and apparatus from around the Commonwealth to large fires. The state is also sending drones, off-road vehicles and rehabilitation trucks.

Massachusetts Professional Firefighters Union President Richard MacKinnon Jr. He said on Saturday that the unusual past few weeks had been challenging for his members. The tricky part is that the fires are closer to developed areas than in the past, leaving city departments like Salem scrambling to deal with brush fires and normal call lists. It has now become part of a trend in which such fires are becoming more common.

“Every year we see the situation getting worse and worse,” he said in an interview on Saturday.

MacKinnon spoke by phone as he prepared to work at the firehouse in Whitman. They’re not there fighting a wildfire in the suburban town south of Boston, but they’re preparing to help as part of the South Shore task force. The department is asking firefighters to work overtime to replace the jakes who will be out.

“Firefighters, we will step in and respond,” MacKinnon said.

Sean Cotter can be reached at [email protected]. follow him @cotterreporter.