Berlin Brush Fire: Firefighter Mourned As Blaze Still Burns: UPDATE

BERLIN, CT — Efforts to battle a massive brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin have turned tragic, with the death of a Wethersfield firefighter confirmed in the effort.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff Wednesday morning in honor of Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Robert Sharkevich Sr., 66.

Sharkevich was in a WVFD utility vehicle specially designed for battling forest fires when it overturned during firefighting operations late Tuesday afternoon.

Two other firefighters in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and were treated and released.

Both Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz paid homage to Sharkevich, a former Hartford Fire Department firefighter.

“I am very heartbroken to learn the news of the tragic loss of firefighter Sharkevich, who died while bravely and courageously responding to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin,” Lamont said in a statement early Wednesday morning.

“His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing less than heroic. On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for the service he has provided to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department.”

“This is a tragic reminder of the sacrifice and risk that our professional and volunteer firefighters face day in and day out when they put on their uniforms,” added Bysiewicz.

“Firefighter Sharkevich bravely answered the call to assist the area’s fire crews in responding to this brush fire, and he will forever be remembered as a hero," Bysiewicz continued. "My heart breaks for his loved ones and the members of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Hartford Fire Department, and Connecticut’s whole firefighting community. I am keeping each of them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said Tuesday night he was "heartbroken" over the loss.

“I am heartbroken for the entire Wethersfield Fire Department and the friends and family of the brave firefighter lost battling the Lamentation Mountain brush fire," he said in a statement. "My thoughts are with all of the courageous firefighters and first responders still working to control this fire through their grief.”

Connecticut Republicans in the state Senate issued a joint statement on Sharkevich as well.

“As a state, we unite in mourning this tragic loss of a courageous first responder. We pray for the Wethersfield Fire Department. We pray for Wethersfield," wrote state Senate Republicans in a statement Tuesday night.

"We pray for all who knew, loved, and were protected by this dedicated firefighter. We also pray for the firefighters who are still in harm’s way as they continue to fight this fire.”

In addition, fire and police departments statewide issued tributes to honor Sharkevich on their own social media pages.

"May he rest in peace. Prayers and blessings to the family and the entire firefighting community," wrote the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department via Facebook. "We'll take it from here."

Fire still burns

As Sharkevich is mourned, responding firefighters from several agencies continue to battle an inferno fueled by unusually dry weather.

Lamont said the massive brush fire is still contained, but he is activating the National Guard to help get the fire out as soon as possible.

Tuesday afternoon, Lamont met with the media to update the situation at Lamentation Mountain, which also serves as the central landmark of a small state park in Berlin and Meriden.

Lamont said firefighters "are working around the clock to protect the area."

He also said he activating Connecticut National Guard troops to help.

In addition, Lamont said, "We're working with a crew from Maine that can use helicopters to drop water to limit any further expansion and keep the area safe."

Lamont's visit Tuesday afternoon came after an ominous-looking glow dominated the view over the prominent landmark overnight. That glow continued at nightfall into early Wednesday.

Despite acres of smoke and flames, Berlin fire officials said the fire will not require any evacuations.

According to the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department, the first reports of a blaze started coming in from area residents at about 5:44 p.m. Monday night.

The fire location is part of Lamentation Mountain State Park in Berlin/Meriden.

Firefighters with the Town of Berlin Fire Departments, including the BVFD, and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Wildfire Division are among several units battling the fire.

The BVFD said firefighters from Newington, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Westfield, and Mariden are also assisting.

Tuesday night, the BVFD issued another update on the fire, which has been dubbed "The Hawthorne Fire."

According to the BVFD, while the fire is not out, "crews were successful in boxing in the fire."

Since early Tuesday morning, the fire's scope has expanded to 80 acres in size, the BVFD said, but the area impacted remains unpopulated.

In an update Wednesday, the City of Meriden, which shares the state park that his home to the mountain, said the fire had expanded to cover about 100 acres, though the acreage is, reportedly, going even higher.

"The fire's spread has mainly been to the north and south along the ridgelines behind Sea Green Drive and the south edge has extended into Meriden," wrote the BVFD.

The BVFD said helicopter units from Maine are expected to be available today (Wednesday, Oct. 23).

The good news, the BVFD said, is no homes have been impacted.

"There has been no reported damage to homes at this time and residents can be reassured that adequate resources are in place to protect property immediately adjacent to the fire," the BVFD said.

Another update is expected by 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Fire officials have said they believe this blaze will be a "prolonged event that will take multiple days to contain."

As part of firefighting operations, a "no-fly" order has been enacted in that area, a necessary situation to "ensure the safe operation of official aircraft operating at the fire," wrote the BVFD.

Presumably, this helps make way for the Maine helicopter units on Tuesday.

Weeks of dry weather this fall have been fueling brush fire fears statewide, with dry leaves and brush creating volatile fuel for fires.

Eversource inspecting power lines

As firefighters battle the inferno, Eversource Energy is making sure the fire isn't threatening nearby power lines.

Currently, the company is doing aerial surveys on three of its high-voltage power lines, located approximately a mile and a half from the fire.

According to Eversource, there have been no issues discovered so far.

“This large brush fire is in close proximity to our transmission lines, which are the backbone of the regional electric grid, and with winds expected to pick up, we’re not taking any chances,” said Eversource President of Electric Operations in Connecticut Steve Sullivan. “We have plans in place to quickly redirect power to other lines to minimize any disruption to our customers and we’re maintaining close communication with the Governor’s office, DEEP, and local partners at Berlin fire and police regarding the fire and any potential impact it could have on the electric system. Our team on the ground is also ready to assist emergency responders in any way we can.”

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