Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Outreach and Education

Clean air is important for your health. The Bureau of Air Management is committed to keeping you informed and providing opportunities for you to be heard and included in air quality policy and programs.

Participation

Routine Meetings: 
Join the Bureau's regular stakeholder committee, State Implementation Plan Revision Advisory Committee (SIPRAC), to learn about the latest air quality issues facing the state, proposed policy and regulations to address air quality, and to be heard!

Events and Workshops:
No Child Left Inside. Launched in 2006, No Child Left Inside®  is a promise to introduce children to the wonder of nature- for their own health and well-being, for the future of environmental conservation and the beauty, character and communities of the State of Connecticut. The associated programming is on- going throughout the year.

The Kellogg Environmental Center is an educational outreach center for the State Parks division of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. It supports air quality programs for students and professional development for teachers year-round. Please contact the Kellogg Environmental Center for information at (203) 734-2513. You may also register for the Trillium, an educational newsletter, to learn more about educational programs, grants, and resources.

Air Quality Flag Program:
The Air Quality Flag Program uses brightly colored flags based on the EPA's Air Quality Index (AQI) to raise awareness about the current outdoor air quality conditions in the local community. If the air quality is unhealthy, schools or organizations participating in the program may decide to adjust physical or outdoor activities.14 Connecticut schools are currently enrolled in the program.  

Community-Based Monitoring:
The Air Bureau is establishing a network of low-cost PurpleAir sensors to monitor particulate matter (PM2.5) throughout the state. These sensors provide real-time, hyper-local air quality data that can be viewed from a public, online map. If you are a member of a community group active within Environmental Justice or overly burdened front-line communities and you are interested in PM2.5 monitoring, please visit our Air Sensor Loan Program and Community-Based Air Monitoring webpages to learn more.  Resources

Air Quality Maps: Fact Sheets and Other Materials: Communication

Looking for more specific outreach? Join one of the following mailing lists: Air Quality Forecasts, EVConnecticut,  Public Notices, SIPRAC, and Volkswagen Settlement and CT. Content last updated: April 3, 2023