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

Rural Fire Council

The Connecticut Rural Fire Council (RFC) was organized in 2003 with four basic objectives:
  • Identify rural fire issues.
  • Look at and review Forestry Division/Fire Programs and determine if those programs mesh with identified rural issues.
  • Make suggestions on Fire Program changes.
  • Provide for a more organized and direct conduit from the Fire Program to the Fire Chiefs.

The Rural Fire Council meets twice per year, and has been instrumental with collecting data, making important suggestions and connections, and has provided support to the Forest Protection Program. The RFC has also made the connection between Department of Transportation and DEEP in coordinating successful building engines for the forest protection program.

County Representatives:

Tolland County -- Chris Renshaw, chris.renshaw@uconn.edu

Windham County -- Noel Waite, firechief12@sbcglobal.net

New London County -- John Arpin, jparpin@aol.com

Middlesex County -- Bruce Villwock, Villwock@aol.com

Hartford County --vacant

New Haven County -- Charles Doback, chasd102@sbcglobal.net

Fairfield County -- Geoffrey Giordano ggiordan@gmail.com or ggiordan@stevensonfire.com 

Litchfield County -- James Shanley, pvfd10@snet.net

Content last updated in February 2024