Fire danger has increased across the state as a large wildfire burns in Connecticut

AMHERST – As emergency crews continued to battle a brush fire in central Connecticut that contributed to the death of a firefighter on Monday, the National Weather Service issued a statement Wednesday morning saying there is “elevated fire weather concern” in Massachusetts .

Dry conditions have raised concerns about possible wildfires across the region, from southern Vermont to northern Rhode Island, and authorities say they are taking proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure public safety.

On Wednesday, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont ordered U.S. and state flags there to be flown to half-mast in honor of Robert Sharkevich Sr., a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department who died after his utility vehicle rolled over him lower rode on the trap rock ridge known as Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, Connecticut. He was 66.