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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11/13/2023

Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew Deploys to Fight North Carolina Wildfires

(HARTFORD) — Three members of the Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew (CIFC) mobilized early Sunday morning from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)’s Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough to fight wildfires in North Carolina.   

The crew represents the latest team of personnel and resources sent from Connecticut on a multi-week deployment to assist with national and Canadian wildfire responses.

“These firefighters who uproot their lives to travel far from home and battle wildfires make us immensely proud,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “We are so grateful for their courage and service as they deploy far from home. We wish them and all the responding firefighters well and look forward to their safe returns.”

The CIFC crew is entirely composed of Connecticut firefighters, two of whom are DEEP employees, who deployed from the following towns:

  • Bozrah
  • Durham
  • Roxbury

Much like Connecticut experienced in the 2020 and 2022 fall fire seasons, western North Carolina and surrounding states are experiencing episodic or extended droughts. These droughts are increasing the already high fire risk created by freshly fallen leaves. These non-typical, extended drought events are associated with a changing climate.

DEEP’s Forestry Division coordinates the CIFC, for which it maintains a roster of agency staff members and private individuals, many associated with local fire departments, who have been certified to fight forest or wildfires. Crew members must complete a rigorous training program and participate in an annual physical work capacity test and refresher training. CIFC crewmembers have also assisted in Montana, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia this year.

Connecticut maintains this firefighting capability to participate in a reciprocal aid program operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Under this program, trained personnel from other parts of the nation are available to assist Connecticut in the event of a fire emergency or other natural disaster in return for the support of Connecticut personnel when needed.

For more information about the CIFC, visit Connecticut Interstate Fire Crew.

CIFC Deployment to NC 2023-11-12

Photo of District Fire Warden Bruce Villwock (L) seeing off the three firefighters yesterday morning.
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Contact

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