Essex, CT — Dry weather and sunshine are raising the risk of brush fires across Connecticut, prompting warnings from state and local officials. Fires have already ignited this week in Bridgeport, Essex, Hartford, and Tolland counties.
“As I got down the street about 50 yards I looked to my left and saw the flames shooting up,” said Pamela England of Essex.
The Essex Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire, but it reached a barn and alarmed residents.
“I couldn’t see where they were coming from but the flames were high enough to see over the trees,” England said.
Essex Fire Marshal John Planas urged caution as conditions remain dangerous. “During these times you have to be careful, you have to be really careful,” he said.
“It doesn’t take much to get a forest fire to get going, especially in the right conditions like we are seeing today,” Planas added.
State officials are urging residents to act responsibly. “Be fire wise, and make sure if you do start a fire, you call 911 immediately,” said Tom Trask, forest protection supervisor with CT DEEP.
Fire departments are asking residents to suspend voluntary burning and check with local officials before lighting any fires.
