TUESDAY EVENING UPDATE: A rare autumn RED FLAG WARNING is in effect 8AM to 7PM Wednesday for all of Connecticut. Several large brush fires have been reported through CT the last several days. A combination of strong winds, low elative humidity, and dry fuels will create a significantly elevated fire growth potential.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Brush fire season in Connecticut is typically associated with the dry conditions of early spring, usually during dry periods when strong sun angle and gusty spring winds combine to quickly dry fuels. By mid May the fire season winds down as vegetation greens and humidity levels generally increase. Unless there is a particularly strong drought, wildfires in CT become and afterthought until the fall, when the trees finally drop their leaves and there is a second, usually less severe fall maximum of brush fires. 2013 and 2016 were both examples of dry falls where brush fires popped up in several communities in late October and early November.
Photo from Greg Balicki 10/22/24 Berlin, CT
This year, the fall fire risk has been greater than normal, driven by a significant lack of rainfall. So far this month, most climate stations in the state have recorded less than an inch of rain, with Danbury as an example receiving only a meager 0.04 inches. The ongoing dry spell has set the stage for high brush fire potential across the region. Just yesterday, several brush fires broke out across the state, with the largest still burning in Berlin, CT. Fire crews are working hard to contain the blaze, but local fire departments have said the remote fire may take days to fully extinguish. The risk of brush fires remains VERY HIGH for today and tomorrow, and residents should stay vigilant, as conditions remain favorable for fire development and spread throughout all of Connecticut and the surrounding areas.
Over the past few days, several emergency managers and fire personnel have expressed concern to CT Weather about when the dry streak will end. Unfortunately, there is little hope for relief in the immediate future, as no significant, soaking rain appears on the horizon. With ongoing dry weather and no rain in sight, the risk of brush fires will remain elevated across the state. Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution and follow any local fire safety guidelines to help prevent further outbreaks.
