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

Press Releases

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05/16/2018

DEEP Announces Completed State Fire Assistance Dry Hydrant Grants

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Division of Forestry today announces that nine fire departments have completed the installation of dry hydrants funded in part by State Fire Assistance funds.  These grants totaling helped fund the cost of installing 11 dry hydrants.
“These dry hydrants provide invaluable water supply when pressurized fire hydrants are not an option or when additional water is required to suppress difficult and/or large fires,” said Chris Martin, DEEP Directory of Forestry. “These federal funds have been made available through the United States Forest Service, State Fire Assistance Program which allows for a $1,500 cost share reimbursement for the installation of each dry hydrant.”
                                           
United States Forest Service through State Fire Assistance and Volunteer Fire Assistance programs provide financial support to individual states. These programs help the DEEP Division of Forestry enhance the firefighting capacity of local fire departments thought out Connecticut.  Grants provided through these programs are cost share grants and allow local matching funds to leverage the federal investment.  The Division of Forestry has been distributing federal funds for dry hydrant installation since 2001 which has assisted with over 250 installations throughout the state.
The following is a list of the fire department receiving grants.  Installation has been or will be completed:
  • Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Department – Bethlehem
  • Clinton Volunteer Fire Department – Clinton
  • Bungay Fire Brigade – Woodstock
  • Eastford Independent Fire Company – Eastford
  • Franklin Volunteer Fire Department – Franklin
  • Hampton Fire Company – Hampton
  • Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department – Lebanon
  • Middlefield Fire Company – Middlefield
  • Somers Fire Department – Somers
Hydrant installed in Bethlehem, CT   Hydrant
Hydrant
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