Brush Fire Breaks Out In Vernon

VERNON, CT — A brush fire broke out in Vernon Tuesday precariously close to a popular restaurant.

The blaze was located behind Elmos Dockside and firefighters arrived at the scene at 3:32 p.m. The restaurant is located at 48 Hartford Turnpike — at the corner of Route 30 and Welles Road.

No damage or injuries were reported and the cause is still under investigation. High winds could have been a factor in carrying hot embers, police said.

Heading into the weekend, Vernon fire officials sent out a terse war ing that brush fire danger is extreme.

"We know we sound like a broken record, believe us, we're tired of making these posts too. Since our rain-dances don't seem to be working, all open burning is still prohibited," fire officials said. "Please help us to keep our community safe."

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is maintaining a Red Flag warning, its highest level of susceptibility for brush fires.

Vernon fire officials said that, over the "last couple of weeks," they have responded to two "significant brush fires," two lawnmower fires, 12 unauthorized burns, multiple mulch fires and two trash fires.

That was before Saturday, when fire officials reiterated the warning after receiving four reports of open burning within an hour, mid-afternoon.

"The ban on open burning continues due to the extreme fire danger," fire officials said. "Please help us keep the community safe."