Red Flag Warning for Connecticut

(WFSB) – Extremely dry weather conditions have caused dozens of wildfires across the state.

A red flag warning was issued on Friday.

The emergency services reported challenges in fighting the fire, most recently because of the unseasonable heat.

There were 90 fires across the state, with the largest and still active fire being the Hawthorne Fire in Berlin.

Sixteen were cleared Friday morning and 71 were being monitored for signs of re-ignition. Two were inactive.

Five bushfires broke out on Thursday.

In Thompson, a fire that started in a garage spread to a wooded area.

An acre of land burned and two firefighters were assessed at the scene for heat exhaustion.

A majority of the fires were caused by humans, state officials confirmed.

“With the dry weather, the brush fire burned fairly deep into the ground,” said Thompson Fire Marshal James Seney. “It was a challenge. We tried to postpone the cruise as much as possible.”

Emergency services also came to the Hawthorne fire in Berlin to help, including an operations management team from New York.

“We've been helping to deal with this incident so all the resources coming in from all over the country and even Quebec just showed up [Thursday]. They come in and need help coping,” said Stephen Rhine, public information officer for the FDNY Incident Management Team.

It's not just about helping to fight fires. Volunteers said they would also ensure crews eat three meals a day and stay hydrated.

“Part of it comes down to morale. You're fighting a fire, a job that not everyone can do. It takes a certain type, and that includes being well-fed and well-hydrated,” said volunteer Bennett Fossey.

Officials urged residents to do their part to help.

“One of the fires involved an individual in the town of Ellington who was mulching leaves with his riding lawnmower,” said Connecticut Fire Marshal Rich Schenk. “People hang leaves on their houses [and that] becomes fuel. Be as careful as possible when doing this. Most of our fires are caused by people.”

A ban on burning remains in effect at state-owned recreational areas. Some cities and towns have followed suit. Residents were urged to check with their local authority about local restrictions.

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