Haddam, Killingworth Firefighters Battle Brush Fire

Post from Haddam Volunteer Fire Company:

A brush fire near Parmelee Road in Haddam on Monday, April 13, consumed more than two acres before being extinguished, thanks to Haddam Volunteer Fire Company and Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company that provided tankers.

A garage was minimally charred and a boat and car were burned in the blaze. The fire started as a controlled burn that the resident was unable to contain.

The below information on how to prevent brush fires is from the National Geographic website.

How to Prevent a Wildfire

• Contact 911, your local fire department, or the park service if you notice an unattended or out-of-control fire.

• Never leave a campfire unattended. Completely extinguish the fire—by dousing it with water and stirring the ashes until cold—before sleeping or leaving the campsite.

• When camping, take care when using and fueling lanterns, stoves, and heaters. Make sure lighting and heating devices are cool before refueling. Avoid spilling flammable liquids and store fuel away from appliances.

• Do not discard cigarettes, matches, and smoking materials from moving vehicles, or anywhere on park grounds. Be certain to completely extinguish cigarettes before disposing of them.

• Follow local ordinances when burning yard waste. Avoid backyard burning in windy conditions, and keep a shovel, water, and fire retardant nearby to keep fires in check. Remove all flammables from yard when burning.

Evacuation Tips

• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

• Know your evacuation route ahead of time and prepare an evacuation checklist and emergency supplies.

• Wear protective clothing and footwear to protect yourself from flying sparks and ashes.

Before You Leave, Prepare Your House

• Remove combustibles, including firewood, yard waste, barbecue grills, and fuel cans, from your yard.

• Close all windows, vents, and doors to prevent a draft.

• Shut off natural gas, propane, or fuel oil supplies.

• Fill any large vessels—pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, or tubs—with water to slow or discourage fire.

If Caught in a Wildfire

• Don’t try to outrun the blaze. Instead, look for a body of water such as a pond or river to crouch in.

• If there is no water nearby, find a depressed, cleared area with little vegetation, lie low to the ground, and cover your body with wet clothing, a blanket, or soil. Stay low and covered until the fire passes.

• Protect your lungs by breathing air closest to the ground, through a moist cloth, if possible, to avoid inhaling smoke.

Photos: Haddam Volunteer Fire Company