Hazardous Weather Outlook, Red Flag Alert Issued For CT: What You Need To Know

CONNECTICUT — Concerns over brush fires that have broken out this week — including one that claimed the life of a firefighter — have prompted the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Projection to issue its highest level of warnings.

"DEEP cautions the public as we respond to multiple active fires across Connecticut. With extremely dry conditions and a Red Flag Warning in effect, the risk of fire spread is high," DEEP officials said.

The Red Flag warning is as serious as it gets, one Connecticut fire marshal said.

"That's risk at its highest level. Brush fires are extremely east to start, especially under these conditions when we have had a long period without rain and leaves on the ground," Vernon's Daniel Wasilewski said.

On consecutive days, brush fires broke out in his town in a large wooded area and in neighboring Tolland close to a main road.

"People have to be careful," Tolland Fire Chief John Littell said after both incidents.

A massive brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin claimed the life of a Wethersfield firefighter.

On Wednesday, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr. The 66-year-old Sharkevich was in a utility vehicle specially designed for battling forest fires when it overturned during firefighting operations late Tuesday afternoon.

"On behalf of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, I share my condolences with the family and friends of Firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr., as well as with his fellow firefighters and first responders, who feel this loss acutely," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. "Firefighters, police, and emergency responders do heroic work every day, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the people and the environment of our state. I’m extremely grateful to, and have a tremendous respect for, people like Firefighter Sharkevich, who answer the call to keep us all safe.”

The fire was fueled by unusually dry weather, officials said.

Lamont said he was activating the National Guard to help get the fire completely out as soon as possible.

In response to the fires, the DEEP sent out an urgent alert outlining safety tips:

• Avoid open burning
• Follow local fire regulations
• Never leave a grill unattended
• Properly dispose of smoking materials and ashes

Wasilewski said the cause of brush fires is usually tough to determine because of the scope and size of them, but carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials are the most common culprits, he said.

Illegal burning is next, he said.

Permitted or not, residents should never leave a fire unextinguished, he said.

"An unextinguished fire will smolder for days. Then, when the wind picks up the embers fly around. We all encourage the public to be careful," he said.

The National Weather Service said the red flag warning is in effect through Wednesday evening. Winds could gust up to 30 mph, and temperatures may reach near 80 degrees.

"Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended," the weather service said. A hazardous weather outlook has also been issued for all of southern Connecticut due to the red flag warning, which could be extended into Thursday, the weather service added.

WFSB 3 TV meteorologists said, "Our dry stretch continues; therefore, rainfall deficits continue to grow. Today, wind will be bigger factor as it increases out of the southwest in advance of a cold front. We’ve issued a *First Alert* for the potential that if a fire were to start, it could rapidly spread. In fact, a Red Flag Warning is in effect statewide."

Weekend forecast details

"Saturday looks to feature a blend of sun and clouds with the arrival and passage of another cold front. Chances for much-needed rain are slim to none (we’d be lucky to get showers, but the front could move through dry, as it will be moisture-starved). More notable will be the drop in temperature. We’ll go from highs in the mid-60s Saturday to mid 50s Sunday behind the front. While 10° cooler, temps will be more in line with late-October," wrote WFSB 3 TV. (Watch/read more at WFSB 3 TV).