Red flag warning issued for Connecticut

(WFSB) – Dozens of brush fires popped up around the state due to extremely dry weather conditions.

Friday, a red flag warning was issued. That means any fires that start can spread rapidly and be hard to put out.

“The Red Flag warnings, you normally see those in California for extended periods of dry weather and when it gets very windy. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing here in CT,” said Scott Gagliardi, First Alert Meteorologist.

First responders statewide are up against some tough conditions.

“You need moisture, you need rain. We haven’t seen any of it. The biggest thing to get the red flag warnings is going to be wind speeds. That can help fan any flames that we’ve had out there,” Gagliardi said.

“That wind actually drives the fire and adds more oxygen to the fire so it allows the fire to quickly spread. It makes it difficult to manage when conditions are like this,” added Josh Cingranelli, Area Regional Coordinator, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Cingranelli said crews have plans in place in case conditions ramp up.

“They’re working a lot on the mop-up conditions on the mountain. Also, keeping in mind if this does start to spread to a different area, having some contingencies to maybe let it burn off to a certain area and then stopping it and setting up what they call a fire alliance,” Cingranelli said.

Crews reported challenges with battling the fires, the most recent one being the unseasonable warmth.

There were 90 fires across the state, the largest and still active being the Hawthorne fire in Berlin.

On day 12, the Hawthorne fire is still holding at 127 acres.

Crews have been focusing on putting out hot spots. Around 65-70 people were up on Lamentation Mountain today.

“We’ve been using unmanned aerial devices, drones and whatnot to designate hotspots. We’ll either fly the previous night or during the morning and designate tactical areas where we can send the crews in to find those hot spots,” said Chief John Massirio, Berlin Fire Department.

Sixteen other brush fires were being mopped up on Friday morning with 71 monitored for signs of reignition. Two were inactive.

Five brush fires broke out on Thursday.

In Thompson, a blaze that started in a garage spread to a wooded area.

An acre of land was burned and two firefighters were evaluated for heat exhaustion on scene.

A majority of the fires were caused by people, state officials confirmed.

“With the dry weather, the brush fire was burning down pretty deep into the ground,” said Thompson Fire Marshal James Seney. “It was challenging. “We tried to rotate out the cruise as much as we could.”

Crews also came in to assist at the Hawthorne fire in Berlin, including an incident management team from New York.

“We have been helping manage that incident, so all the resources that are coming in from all over the country and even as far as Quebec just showed up (Thursday). They have been coming in and they need help managing,” said Stephen Rhine, FDNY incident management team public information officer.

It’s not just help battling the fires. Volunteers said they are also making sure the crews are getting three meals a day and staying hydrated.

“Part of it comes down to the morale. They are fighting a fire, which is not a job that anyone can do. It takes a certain type, and part of that is you need to be well-fed and well-hydrated,” said volunteer Bennett Fossey.

Significant rainfall is desperately needed.

In the meantime, there are measures you can take at home to avoid accidentally starting a fire.

“One of the fires was an individual in the town of Ellington who was mulching leaves with his riding lawnmower,” said Connecticut fire control officer Rich Schenk. “People have leaves packed up against their houses (and that) becomes fuel. Be as cautious as you can with that. Most of our fires are human-caused.”

“If you can keep leaves away from the house. I know it can be really challenging with the wind the way it is, and also just avoid discarding any cigarettes out in the open. That would certainly help alleviate hopefully any additional fires,” Cingranelli said.

A burn ban remains in place at state-owned recreational places. Some cities and towns have followed suit. Residents were urged to check with their municipality about local restrictions.

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