CONNECTICUT, USA — This week has brought us some beautiful, warm spring days and while the sun may be shining there is a perfect storm of conditions for fires to start.
"What ends up happening is, it’s a recipe for disaster," said New Haven Fire Chief John Alston.
Windy, warm days lacking any water with fallen foliage and dry grass on the ground make it easy for fires to spread.
"We are literally fighting nature to try and put those fires out," Alston said.
He said his department has been keeping a close eye on conditions the past few days.
"We have to be on the lookout for even spot fires, even small fires, to try and catch them as quickly as possible because with the wind it can spread so quickly and it’s very difficult for us to try to catch up," Alston said.
Wednesday, a small brush fire started near the holy land in Waterbury. One of several that have happened throughout the state this week.
"There should be no outdoor burning until those conditions improve," said Alan Zygmunt of the Connecticut Fire Academy.
He said battling fires like these involves a different approach than most other fires.
"Most of the time we’re thinking about water and carrying hose into buildings or around buildings and applying water to the flames. In this case very often times we’re actually removing fuel from the path of the fire," Zygmunt said.
Fire officials said even something as small as a cigarette can spark a big fire right now.
"The rain isn’t going to be coming until Sunday possibly Monday," Alston said. "The weather is warm. We’re outside, we’re trying to enjoy this. We just have to be very careful," he said.
That means even avoiding grilling outside and certainly, not burning anything.
Gaby Molina is a reporter and anchor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at mmolina@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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