By Anne White
A vehicle fire on the Merritt Parkway off-ramp to Old Stamford Road Wednesday afternoon quickly escalated into a significant brush fire, consuming approximately one acre of woodland near Lapham Road. The incident highlights the increased fire risk due to ongoing dry conditions in Fairfield County.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., New Canaan Fire Department units responded to reports of a fully involved car fire. The driver was able to exit safely without injury. According to a New Canaan official, flames spread into dry brush along the southbound embankment, advancing into the wooded area behind the town’s leaf compost site.
Firefighters worked for four hours, deploying multiple hose lines from both the highway and the compost site to contain the fire. Crews from Noroton Heights, Darien, and Pound Ridge assisted on scene, while Wilton and Westport covered New Canaan’s fire district during the response.
Officials say the rapid spread of the fire was exacerbated by current drought conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 60.2% of Fairfield County is experiencing moderate drought as of March 11, with the remainder classified as abnormally dry. This lack of moisture has left vegetation more vulnerable to ignition. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has also classified the state’s fire risk as “high” in its daily Forest Fire Danger Report, limiting residents’ ability to burn brush. DEEP warns that spring fire season, which runs from mid-March to mid-May, is particularly hazardous due to dry conditions and a lack of green vegetation that would typically slow the spread of flames (U.S. Drought Monitor, March 11, 2025; Connecticut DEEP Fire Danger Report, March 2025).
State officials have issued advisories urging residents to be mindful of fire hazards. “Do not discard smoking materials from a car window or into any organic material around your home,” fire officials warned. Open burning regulations—including restrictions on campfires and outdoor fireplaces—must be followed to reduce the risk of wildfires (Connecticut DEEP).
No injuries were reported.
