Governor Ned Lamont issued a directive to Connecticut residents Friday to stop all outdoor burning as the state faces extreme fire conditions. With dry weather persisting for weeks and no rain forecasted for at least seven to ten days, the governor has declared a state of emergency, warning that the current conditions present a severe fire danger.
“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. The emergency declaration provides state and local emergency officials with additional tools to monitor and respond to fire threats. The governor’s office reported that the situation is critical, and public compliance is essential to reduce the risk of new fires.
The directive follows a week of Red Flag Warnings from the National Weather Service, alerting the public to fire-prone conditions caused by low humidity and gusty winds. Lamont reiterated on social media, “We are strongly urging all Connecticut residents to avoid any type of outdoor burning as the current conditions pose a high risk of fire danger.”
Response to the Hawthorne Fire and Fallen Firefighter Tribute
The state’s firefighting resources are currently concentrated on a significant blaze at Lamentation Mountain, named the “Hawthorne Fire,” which has affected the Berlin and Meriden areas. The Connecticut National Guard, supported by helicopter units from Maine, has dropped over 101,000 gallons of water on the fire from Silver Lake, battling challenging conditions to contain the spread.
This week’s firefighting efforts saw a tragic loss when Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr., 66, was killed in the line of duty. Sharkevich lost his life when a specialized firefighting vehicle overturned while responding to the fire on Tuesday. Community members plan to honor his service and bravery, with a wake scheduled for Sunday, October 27, and a funeral Mass on Monday, October 28.
Severe Fire Threat Across Connecticut
The emergency declaration reflects the state’s heightened alert as officials anticipate continued dry conditions. With no rain in the immediate forecast, Lamont’s office advises that the emergency measures will help local agencies implement safety protocols, limit fire-prone activities, and coordinate firefighting efforts in the event of new incidents.
State and local officials remain on high alert as they work to protect vulnerable communities and manage the ongoing risk.
