The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today reminds residents and visitors that forest fire danger levels are elevated to “High” because of the dry conditions over the past couple of weeks. The danger will remain “High” until there is significant rain.
Fires occurred over the July 4th holiday weekend caused by people using fireworks in state parks and forests. DEP firefighters assisted with three fires on Monday, July 5 in Middletown (3 acres), Bethany (.25 acres) and Kent (.25 acres). The DEP has returned to the fires today to be sure the area is safe.
Commissioner Amey Marrella said, “As always, Connecticut residents and visitors alike need to take precautions to prevent forest fires. This is especially true right now as we are expecting hot and dry conditions to continue throughout the state over the next few days. If you are enjoying the outdoors at a state park or forest, always limit your campfires to the stone or metal rings provided, and be sure your fire is doused thoroughly when done.”
The DEP reminds all state residents that if they have received a permit from their local Open Burning Official to burn brush on their property, the permit is not valid if the Forest Fire Danger is rated high, very high or extreme and you are burning within 100 feet of a grassland or woodland. The Forest Fire Danger is posted on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep
The DEP’s Division of Forestry constantly monitors the danger of forest fire to help protect Connecticut’s 1.8 million acres of forested land. Forest fire danger levels are classified as low, moderate, high, very high or extreme. In an average year forest fires scorch approximately 1,300 acres of Connecticut woodland. During 2010 about 230 acres have burned in Connecticut so far. The average number of acres burned per year is about 1000.
Visit www.ct.gov/dep/forestfiredanger for the daily Forest Fire Danger level.
Anyone spotting a forest fire should go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to the local fire department.
Forest Fire Prevention Tips
The DEP encourages residents of Connecticut to protect their families and homes from forest fire by:
* Making a fire safe zone around your house. Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings;
* Pruning away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly;
* Removing any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney;
* Regularly removing leaves and needles from gutters;
* Not storing firewood in the fire safe zone;
* Using fire resistant roofing materials;
* Making sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which do not allow fire truck access;
* Have an escape plan and practice it;
* Following state and local open burning laws;
* Staying with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out; and
* Disposing of wood ashes in a metal bucket, soaking them with water before dumping them.
For those who enjoy the use of Connecticut’s parks, forests, and open spaces, use fires with caution and follow these recommendations:
* Obey local laws regarding open fires, including campfires;
* Keep all flammable objects away from fire;
* Have firefighting tools nearby and handy;
* Carefully dispose of hot charcoal;
* Drown all fires;
* Extinguish smoking materials with caution.
For more information on fire safety, contact DEP’s Forestry Division at (860) 424-3630.
