Governor declares state of emergency

#MiddleburyCT #BrushFire #StateOfEmergency #FireWeather

This stock image shows a helicopter dropping water on a brush fire. Firefighters battling the Hawthorne fire are using helicopters to help contain that fire. (Image by Janek Szymanowski from Pixabay)

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont on Friday, October 25, 2024, declared a state of emergency due to the critical fire weather conditions that exist throughout Connecticut, as well as the continued response to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin and Meriden, which is being commonly referred to as the Hawthorne Fire.

“Over the last two months, Connecticut has experienced severely dry conditions and lack of rain, which has increased the threat of fire conditions and caused several fires to start throughout the state,” Governor Lamont said. “The filing of this declaration will help provide state and local emergency management officials with the necessary tools to monitor and limit the threat of potential fires, respond to active fires, and respond to any additional fires that may start. We are strongly urging all Connecticut residents to avoid any type of outdoor burning as the current conditions pose a high risk of fire danger.”

As of the afternoon of Friday, October 25, 2024, there is no rain forecasted in Connecticut for at least the next 7 to 10 days. During the past week, the National Weather Service has issued several advisories regarding the fire conditions in the state, most notably a Red Flag Warning, which indicates that critical fire weather conditions are expected or are occurring.