Forest fire danger high today in Windham County
By Staff reports
Norwich Bulletin
Posted Apr 07, 2010 @ 11:26 AM
Last update Apr 07, 2010 @ 12:00 PM
Killingly, Conn. —
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for forest fires today in Windham County.
The state Department of Environmental Protection said the forest fire danger is high throughout the state today.
The forest fire danger is posted on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/forestfiredanger. Forest fire danger levels are classified as low, moderate, high, very high or extreme.
The state department said forest fires scorch approximately 1,300 acres of Connecticut in an average year.
Fires that start this time of year tend to burn the surface leaves and can spread very fast. During the springtime, wind is the most critical weather component in determining fire danger. This spring fire season persists until the trees fully leaf out, normally by mid-May.
Anyone spotting a forest fire should go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to the local fire department.
Forest Fire Prevention Tips
The DEP encourages residents of Connecticut to protect their families and homes from forest fire by:
Making a fire safe zone around your house. Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings
Pruning away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly;
Removing any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney
Regularly removing leaves and needles from gutters
Not storing firewood in the fire safe zone
Using fire resistant roofing materials
Making sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which do not allow fire truck access;
Have an escape plan and practice it
Following state and local open burning laws
Staying with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out
Disposing of wood ashes in a metal bucket, soaking them with water before dumping them.
For those who enjoy the use of Connecticut’s parks, forests, and open spaces, use fires with caution and follow these recommendations:
Obey local laws regarding open fires, including campfires
Keep all flammable objects away from fire
Have firefighting tools nearby and handy
Carefully dispose of hot charcoal
Drown all fires
Extinguish smoking materials with caution.
For more information on fire safety, contact DEP’s Forestry Division at (860) 424-3630.
By Staff reports
Norwich Bulletin
Posted Apr 07, 2010 @ 11:26 AM
Last update Apr 07, 2010 @ 12:00 PM
Killingly, Conn. —
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for forest fires today in Windham County.
The state Department of Environmental Protection said the forest fire danger is high throughout the state today.
The forest fire danger is posted on the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep/forestfiredanger. Forest fire danger levels are classified as low, moderate, high, very high or extreme.
The state department said forest fires scorch approximately 1,300 acres of Connecticut in an average year.
Fires that start this time of year tend to burn the surface leaves and can spread very fast. During the springtime, wind is the most critical weather component in determining fire danger. This spring fire season persists until the trees fully leaf out, normally by mid-May.
Anyone spotting a forest fire should go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to the local fire department.
Forest Fire Prevention Tips
The DEP encourages residents of Connecticut to protect their families and homes from forest fire by:
Making a fire safe zone around your house. Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings
Pruning away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly;
Removing any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney
Regularly removing leaves and needles from gutters
Not storing firewood in the fire safe zone
Using fire resistant roofing materials
Making sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which do not allow fire truck access;
Have an escape plan and practice it
Following state and local open burning laws
Staying with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out
Disposing of wood ashes in a metal bucket, soaking them with water before dumping them.
For those who enjoy the use of Connecticut’s parks, forests, and open spaces, use fires with caution and follow these recommendations:
Obey local laws regarding open fires, including campfires
Keep all flammable objects away from fire
Have firefighting tools nearby and handy
Carefully dispose of hot charcoal
Drown all fires
Extinguish smoking materials with caution.
For more information on fire safety, contact DEP’s Forestry Division at (860) 424-3630.