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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06/09/2023

Air Quality to Improve Friday as Smoke from Canadian Wildfires Moves to the South and West of Connecticut

 

(HARTFORD)—Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is expecting smoke from wildfires over Quebec that impacted Connecticut this week to continue to recede throughout the day on Friday, with air quality improving statewide.

Smoke cleared quickly overnight and this morning with most of Connecticut at Moderate levels and western Connecticut seeing much improved air quality. Low pressure over southern New England is protecting Connecticut from smoke impacts today. Smoke is expected to remain to the south and west throughout the day today. Though Thursday’s air quality improved compared to Wednesday’s, which set records for poor air quality in Connecticut, 24-hour PM2.5 values remained Unhealthy statewide for Connecticut yesterday. Additionally, we are monitoring another significant smoke plume forming in Canada.

“Today’s forecast is welcome news following the record-setting levels of poor air quality we saw in Connecticut and in the region over the last several days,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “This event has been an important reminder of just how important air quality is to our health and daily lives, and the work we do at DEEP to not only monitor air quality, but also to improve it to ensure that all residents have clean air to breathe. We recommend that people continue to utilize resources such as AirNow and DEEP’s daily air quality forecast to help stay informed about air quality going forward.”

Connecticut Department of Public Health guidance is available on their website.

 

EPA Fire and Smoke 

EPA Fire and Smoke Map, June 9, 2023, 11:15 a.m., showing the heaviest smoke plume to our south and offshore.

 Satellite Map 6-7-23

Visible Satellite Map, June 9, 2023, 10:00 a.m., showing cloudy skies in Connecticut and smoke to our south and offshore.

 

Stay connected and access the daily AQI forecast and real-time air quality data

  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Go to EPA’s AirNow webpage
  • Sign up to get Air Quality alerts through Enviroflash
  • Call 800-249-1234
  • Download EPA’s AirNow app for your phone

Ambient Air Monitoring

DEEP monitors, tracks, and forecasts daily air quality levels across Connecticut for ozone from May 1st through September 30th each year and for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) each day of the year. On April 30, 2023, DEEP began informing Connecticut’s regulated community and the general public of the ozone season via the State of Connecticut E-mail list serve and posting air quality forecasts on the DEEP web page, available here. 

DEEP encourages schools, daycare providers, summer camps and elder/senior centers to subscribe to the Air Quality Index (AQI).  Subscribing to the AQI is fast and easy and will provide you with important information each day about Connecticut’s air quality through the spring and summer. The AQI link provides facts and information regarding ground-level ozone, its health effects, what to do on a high ozone day, and most importantly what you can do to help reduce ground level ozone in your backyard.

 

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
Facebook: DEEP on Facebook

Contact

DEEP Communications  
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110