RED FLAG WARNINGS ISSUED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!
Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Any fires that start may spread rapidly and become difficult to extinguish.
Any fires that ignite are likely to spread quickly.
Due to fire danger in our area, all open burning is strictly prohibited even if an Open Burning Permit through the Fire Marshal's Office has been issued. This includes, but is not limited to, brush piles, campfires, fire pits, outdoor grilling, and any form of open flame. Open Burning Permits will not be issued until the fire danger risk is reduced.
The state has issued an emergency burn ban for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, fire pits and campfires, kindling and use of flame outdoors. CT DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state.
TIPS TO AVOID ACCIDENTALLY STARTING A FIRE…
- Do not operate a vehicle off road in brush or high grass. The hot exhaust system can ignite grass or brush.
- Do not discard any burning items outdoors. Hot embers, cigarettes and matches can ignite dry grass or brush.
- Faulty brakes or dragging metal under or behind a vehicle can also send sparks into roadside grass.
If you have received a permit from your local Open Burning Official to burn brush on your 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.
If you spot a forest fire, remain calm, go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to your local fire department. Calmly tell the emergency dispatcher when you saw it and where you saw it. Stay on the telephone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up