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 Urges Residents to Avoid Closed State Parks

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) State Parks Division is urging residents to not visit any closed Connecticut State Park. Three parks, Sleeping Giant, Kettletown and Wharton Brook have suffered extensive damage and are likely to remain closed for at least several days. Two additional parks, Chatfield Hollow and Squantz Pond are expected to reopen over the next couple of days. Caution should also be used in ANY park or forest area to stay clear of downed or hanging trees or limbs.
“Yesterday’s storm caused extensive damage at several Connecticut State Parks, it is imperative that residents, for their own safety, do not visit any closed park,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “DEEP staff is working to clear the damage as quickly as possible so that visitors can return to the parks and that process is slowed down by curiosity seekers.”
Connecticut State Parks that are currently closed include:
  • Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden
  • Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth
  • Kettletown State Park in Southbury
  • Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield
  • Wharton Brook State Park in Wallingford
Those found trespassing at a closed park are subject to an infraction.
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