CT DEEP: Forest Fire Danger Commonly High In Spring

STAFFORD, CT — The state Department of Energy and Environmental protection on Thursday said the "danger level" for forest fires was high with a following explanation that such a thing is common for this time of year.

Connecticut traditionally experiences high forest fire danger in the spring — from mid-March through May, DEEP officials said.

The DEEP's Division of Forestry "constantly monitors the danger of forest fires" within Connecticut's 1.8 million acres of forested land and, throughout the spring forest fire season, the agency sends daily advisories on forest fire danger levels to state park and forest field staffers, municipalities, fire departments and the media.

Forest fire danger levels are classified at low, moderate, high, very high or extreme. In an average year approximately 500 acres of Connecticut woodland are burned by forest fires.

Local burning permits are not valid if the forest fire danger is rated high, very high or extreme or if burning takes place within 100 feet of a grassland or woodland, DEEP officials said.

Anyone spotting a forest fire can report it via the 911 system, DEEP officials said. Callers should provide dispatchers as many details as possible and stay on the line until advised to hang up, they added.