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 a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Forest Protection Contacts

The Forest Protection staff maintain an active forest fire prevention program and a specifically trained force of firefighting personnel to combat fires that burn an average of 500 acres of forest per year in Connecticut. The program actively trains instate firefighters for local response and Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew firefighters to be mobilized to assist the U.S. Forest Service in controlling large fires across the nation. Fire Departments depend on program staff for wildland fire training, equipment, assistance and expertise. The state is divided into two geographic districts for response and management.

Thomas Trask - Forest Protection Supervisor

79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT
Office: 860-424-3325
Thomas.Trask@ct.gov 

Richard Schenk - Fire Control Officer Eastern District

209 Hebron Road, Marlborough, CT
Office: 860-424-4150
Richard.Schenk@ct.gov

Michael Kronick - Fire Control Officer Western District

1279 Middlebury Road, Middlebury, CT
Office: 203-758-9248
Michael.Kronick@ct.gov

Olney Knight - Fire Control Officer

23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT
Office: 860-455-0699
Olney.Knight@ct.gov

James Bryan - Fire Control Officer

1279 Middlebury Road, Middlebury, CT
Office: 203-758-9248
James.Bryan@ct.gov

For general Forest Protection information, please contact deep.forestry@ct.gov .

Content last updated in October 2024.