CONNECTICUT, USA — Connecticut firefighters battled multiple brush fires throughout the state Monday, and the efforts continue into Tuesday.
Brush fires were reported in cities and towns including Berlin, Burlington, Hartford and Vernon. The dry conditions, breezy winds and low humidity are all contributing to elevated fire danger, according to the National Weather Service.
The Berlin Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post at 8:35 p.m. Monday that firefighters were working to box in a large forest fire on Lamentation Mountain.
BVFD, along with neighboring fire departments, resumed firefighting efforts Tuesday and crews plan to work until the evening.
Around 25 acres have burned as of Tuesday morning, and it could take at least three days to completely contain the fire on the mountain, fire officials said.
Seagreen Drive and Rosewood Drive have a "fire apparatus presence" and will "remain on fire watch overnight," BVFD said.
There is currently a no-fly restriction in the area. BVFD is asking people to avoid flying drones and parking nearby or on the Berlin Turnpike.
The Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department said they are assisting with the Lamentation Mountain fire.
WVFD said they also assisted the Hartford Fire Department with a brush fire "deep into the woods" 2 a.m. Monday in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford.
The Burlington Volunteer Fire Department reported a brush fire Saturday behind Burlwood Drive, Sherman Drive and Stafford Road.
In an update on Monday, Burlington firefighters said the affected area is about seven acres of a 145-acre track bordering Bristol and Farmington, and that the fire "continues to smolder deep within the duff layer of the forest floor."
Firefighters are continuing to check the containment area and maintain the fire line, according to Burlington firefighters.
"The ongoing lack of rain, low relative humidity and warm daytime temperatures have created extreme drought conditions, not only here but throughout the region, all contributing factors to the challenge of full extinguishment," Burlington firefighters said. "Nuisance smoke conditions will continue throughout the area and firefighters will be back again today to maintain the fire line."
Burlington firefighters said Monday at 2:27 p.m. that they were also working on a large brush fire in the area of Covey Road near Hotchkiss Road.
In Vernon, the fire department battled a nine-acre brush fire Monday afternoon in the area of Reservoir Road.
The fire was reported at 2:30 p.m. and later declared under control at 5:30 p.m., VFD said. Firefighters said a lack of rain and dry vegetation led to the brush fire.
According to Vernon Assistant Fire Chief Robert Babcock, the fire will not spread beyond the current perimeter and the bulk was knocked down, but it will continue smoldering overnight.
"We did have representatives from DEEP, their wildfire crew out here and they're confident with some of our work with creating a fire line around the perimeter so it's not going to affect any of the residences," Babcock said..
Babock said residents along Interstate 84 and in the area of the fire may smell smoke overnight.
Two firefighters were evaluated but were not taken to the hospital, Babcock said.
Firefighters from Bolton, Coventry, Ellington, Tolland and Willington helped Vernon battle the fire. South Windsor and the Broad Brook section of East Windsor provided staff for the Vernon fire stations during the incident.
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