Firefighters continue to battle wildfires across Connecticut as a state of emergency has been declared due to extreme dry weather conditions.
The Hawthorne Fire, on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, has spread and is now estimated around 107 acres. Crews have been working to control and extinguish the fire since it started Monday evening.
The fire, which began with an estimated 10 to 15 acres in size, took the life of Wethersfield firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr. on Tuesday after the UTV he was riding in rolled over going up a steep rocky incline. The funeral for the fallen firefighter is planned for Monday in Hartford.
The Connecticut National Guard and a Maine forestry helicopter continued dropping water on the fire from the air. Officials said Rhode Island and New Hampshire crews are also on scene assisting. In total, 127,000 gallons of water from Silver Lake has been dumped on the fire, officials said on Saturday.
“We’ve made good progress on the northern planks of the fire and crews are still working to make sure the fire doesn’t break out,” Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio said at a press conference on Saturday morning. “The south side saw some pickup in activity. We’re noticing some fire spread down towards the Giuffrida Park area in Meriden. We have a huge contingent of resources, staff and equipment in that area.”
But despite efforts, officials said hikers, quads, private drones and aircraft have continuously interrupted aerial operations over the last few days. A temporary flight restriction over the area has been in place since Monday. On Saturday, officials said the no-fly zone has expanded to cover Giuffrida Park in Meriden and Silver Lake in Meriden and Berlin. Those areas remain closed to the public.
On Saturday, the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced a ban on the use of outdoor grills, firepits, campfires and the use of flames in all state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas. Officials allege sparks from a campfire located on a cliff caused the ongoing Hawthorne Fire. State police said Thursday they are investigating the cause of the fire.
“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,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “In support of Governor Lamont’s emergency declaration, we are banning outdoor burning within our state parks and forests to help prevent new fires from starting. Taking this step today could save lives.”
The ban follows Gov. Lamont’s state of emergency declaration across Connecticut due to dangerous fire weather conditions.
“Over the last two months, Connecticut has experienced severely dry conditions and lack of rain, which has increased the threat of fire conditions and caused several fires to start throughout the state,” Lamont said in a release on Friday. “The filing of this declaration will help provide state and local emergency management officials with the necessary tools to monitor and limit the threat of potential fires, respond to active fires and respond to any additional fires that may start.
Connecticut remains at very high to extreme fire risk, with no forecasted rainfall over the next week to alleviate conditions, according to officials with DEEP. Gusty winds are also causing problems as flames spread more quickly. Winds are projected at 5 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph through Saturday evening.
“The weather is effecting the Hawthorne Fire in that there is fuel ahead of it and wind behind it,” said Tom Trask, forest protection supervisor with the state’s DEEP. “Its causing leaf debris falling from trees onto the ground and jump our containment lines and driven very quickly.”
Firefighters continue to battle smaller brushfires across the state due to the dry conditions. The state’s DEEP said they are monitoring active hot spots and performing perimeter maintenance in several towns.
One of the larger wildfires that was knocked out quickly was in Vernon at 183 Reservoir Road where an estimated 9 acres of forest burned.
“The fire was brought under control in just about three hours,” the Vernon Fire Department said in a Facebook post. “Crews remained on scene for several more hours. The fire continues to smolder and produce smoke but has a secure perimeter.”
In East Lyme, firefighters said they were able to quickly knock down a brushfire that burned approximately 5 acres of land near I-95 northbound at exit 73 on Society Road Thursday. The ramp was closed on Friday due to ongoing firefighting efforts.
“Great work by our East Lyme Fire crews, and many thanks to the Waterford, Lyme, Old Lyme, Montville, Chesterfield, and Old Saybrook Departments for their assistance. Sleep well, everyone!” East Lyme Public Safety said in a Facebook post.
To reduce fire risks, DEEP urges the following safety measures:
Fires on public lands are now prohibited: Do not use campfires, grills, or any other open flame. Again, the ban announced today prohibits the use of outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors in all state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas. This prohibition includes smoking and use of lighters outdoors.
Properly extinguish smoking materials: Ensure all cigarettes and similar items are fully put out before disposal.
Avoid equipment that can spark fires: Refrain from using ATVs, chainsaws, or other equipment in dry areas.
If you observe a wildfire, call 911 immediately and provide the location to emergency dispatch. Timely reporting is crucial to containing fires before they spread further.
For more information on fire danger and wildfire prevention, visit the state’s wildfire prevention page on the DEEP website or contact the DEEP fire danger hotline at (860) 424-3929.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected]
