Berlin Brush Fire: Progress Reported By Firefighters

BERLIN, CT — Well into its second week, the Lamentation Mountain brush fire in Berlin continues to burn, but firefighters are, now, reporting some progress.

Helping with that was a bit of rain Tuesday into early Wednesday morning, but it wasn't enough to alleviate the high fire dangers already in place.

Still, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has reported "remarkable progress on the Hawthorne Fire."

"The energy was high, with team members from all backgrounds coming together to protect our communities and landscapes," wrote DEEP.

The first reports of the blaze started coming in from area residents at about 5:44 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 at Lamentation Mountain State Park in Berlin/Meriden.

Firefighters with the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Wildfire Division are among several units battling the fire.
In addition, firefighters from Newington, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Westfield, Southington, and Meriden are also assisting.

Sadly, Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr. was killed Oct. 22 when the forest firefighting vehicle he was in overturned. His funeral and burial were Monday, Oct. 28.

So far, the fire is believed to have burned 100 to 125 acres of land depending on various estimates, with the fire still confined to unpopulated areas of town and not requiring any evacuations.

DEEP has been posting regular press briefings on its Facebook page to update the media/public on the fire. They can be found at this link.

From Oct. 29: 'Berlin Brush Fire: The Fight Moves Into Its Second Week'

From Oct. 28: 'Berlin Brush Fire: Blaze Enters 2nd Week As Hero Is LaidTo Rest'

From Oct. 25: 'Berlin Brush Fire: Services Set For FF, Emergency Declared: UPDATE'

From Oct. 24: 'Berlin Brush Fire: Firefighters Unite To 'Slay The Dragon': UPDATE'

From Oct. 23: 'Wethersfield Community Mourns Loss Of Beloved Firefighter'

From Oct. 22: 'Berlin Brush Fire: Firefighter Mourned As Blaze Still Burns: UPDATE'