October 26, 2024 4:27 pm • Last Updated: October 26, 2024 4:27 pm

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection on Saturday issued a statewide ban on open flames and grills at all state parks and forests because of a prolonged dry spell that has sparked concerns of more wildfires.

The ban follows a declaration of a state of emergency on Friday by Governor Ned Lamont because of a series of brush fires that have ignited across the state over the past week. The state remains at extreme risk for fires because of the lack of rain.

Brush fires were reported Saturday off Beach Pond Road in Voluntown and in the area of ​​Ayers Mountain in Franklin. The fire in Franklin, reported at 6 am, led to temporary closure of a portion of Route 207, as crews from multiple towns hiked into a wooded area to fight the blaze.

Franklin Emergency Management Director Bill Eyeberse said the state Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security aided the firefight by sending a helicopter to drop water on areas of steep terrain that were nearly impossible for firefighters to access on foot.

The helicopter and work of firefighters helped to contain the fire to 4 to 6 acres, Eyeberse said. The fire was reported to be contained by 11 am DEEP crews continued to monitor the area into Saturday afternoon. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The burn ban issued on Saturday bars the use of outdoor grills, fire pits, campfires and use of flame outdoors in all state parks, forests and wildlife management areas.

In a statement, DEEP said the burn ban is part of an effort to prevent new fires and as a proactive measure to avoid overtaxing available fire-fighting resources during the dry spell.

“These conditions represent a real and immediate threat to communities across Connecticut. We need every resident and visitor to understand that their actions directly impact the safety of their neighbors, firefighters, and natural areas,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in a statement. “Taking this step today could save lives.”

Firefighters continued work on Saturday to extinguish a fire that has consumed more than 100 acres on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin over the past week Fire officials said a campfire that was not extinguished properly likely started that fire. Veteran Wethersfield firefighter Robert E. Sharkevich Sr., a 66-year-old married father of four, died this week when a utility vehicle rolled onto him on steep terrain while fighting the Lamentation Mountain fire.

All open burning permits statewide are also suspended until further notice. .

For more information on fire danger and wildfire prevention, visit the Wildfire Prevention page on the DEEP website or contact the DEEP fire danger hotline at 860-424-3929. For more information about today’s fire danger level, which is very high, go here: Forest Fire Danger Report.

[email protected]