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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04/22/2019

Environmental Conservation Police Arrest Two in Connection with Vandalism, Container Fires at Silver Sands State Park

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (EnCon) Environmental Conservation Police arrested two individuals in connection with the vandalism and fire that occurred on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.  The investigation leading to the arrests was conducted with the assistance of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, Milford Police, and Stratford Police.
The accused, Chris Sakowicz (DOB: 1/30/2001 of Stratford), and Vincent Keller (DOB: 3/17/2001 of Stratford), were placed under arrest by EnCon Police and processed at G.A. 22 in Milford. Both men were both charged with the following violations: C.G.S. 53a-108, Criminal Trespass 2nd, 53a-115 Criminal Mischief 1st (two counts), and 53a-124 Larceny 3rd ,  53a-49/53a117 Criminal Attempt to Commit Criminal Mischief 3rd.  Sakowicz was also charged with and 53-132a (two counts) Removing and/or Obliterating Manufacturers Serial Numbers.

At approximately 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2019, the Milford Fire Department and EnCon Police responded to a report of a fire in two metal storage containers at the park.  The Milford Fire Department quickly extinguished the fires and investigators observed evidence of vandalism at the scene.
An earlier fire that destroyed three buildings under construction at the park on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, remains under investigation, and at this time there is no information concerning a connection between the two incidents.

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