Crime & Safety

Update: Firefighters From Five Towns Battle Brush Fire

Forest fire danger is typically high this time of year, according to the DEEP. Learn how to prevent forest fires.

Firefighters from Oxford, Seymour, Derby, Shelton and Ansonia battled a large brush fire off of Route 34 for nearly two hours Derby Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters arrived on scene about 4 p.m. and found the fire encompassed a large area near Pink House Cove - off of Lakeview Terrace - in Osborndale State Park, firefighters said. Firefighters ran water shuttles to the flames.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the brush fire is unknown and it's unclear how long it will take to put it out. 

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A section of Route 34 was closed but has since reopened.

The forest fire danger level for today, Sunday, April 8, 2013, was high, the third highest level behind very high and extreme, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which sets the forest fire danger levels. The DEEP urges people to obey local laws regarding open fires, carefully dispose of hot charcoal and completely extinguish smoking materials.

Find out what's happening in Oxfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The location where the fire was reported is the same area where firefighters were called to in January several times for brush fires that firefighters believe were intentionally set, according to the Valley Independent Sentinel.

The following information comes directly from the State DEEP website

CT's Forest Fire Season Runs from Mid-March Through May 

Connecticut traditionally experiences high forest fire danger in the Spring from mid-March through May.  DEEP's Division of Forestry constantly monitors the danger of forest fire to help protect Connecticut's 1.8 million acres of forested land. Throughout the Spring forest fire season, DEEP sends daily advisories on forest fire danger levels to DEEP's state park forest field staff, municipalities, fire departments and the media. Forest fire danger levels are classified at low, moderate, high, very high or extreme. In an average year approximately 1,300 acres of Connecticut woodland are scorched by forest fires.

If you have received a permit from your local Open Burning Official to burn brush on your property, the permit is not valid if the Forest Fire Danger is rated high, very high or extreme and you are burning within 100 feet of a grassland or woodland.

If you spot a forest fire, remain calm, go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to your local fire department. Calmly tell the emergency dispatcher when you saw it and where you saw it. Stay on the telephone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.

Forest Fire Prevention Tips

The DEEP's Forest Fire Control Office urges all who enjoy the use of Connecticut's parks, forests and open spaces, to use fires with caution and heed the following recommendations especially during forest fire season:

  • 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;
  • Carefully extinguish smoking materials.

For Connecticut homeowners, the following steps are suggested to protect your family members and home:

  • Make a fire safe zone around your house. Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings;
  • Prune away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly;
  • Remove any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney;
  • Regularly remove leaves and needles from gutters;
  • Don't store firewood in the fire safe zone;
  • Use fire resistant roofing materials;
  • Make sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly, and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which don't allow fire truck access;
  • Have an escape plan-- and practice it;
  • Follow state and local open burning laws;
  • Stay with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out;
  • Dispose of wood ashes in a metal bucket, soaking them with water before dumping them.

If you spot a forest fire, remain calm, go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to your local fire department. Calmly tell the emergency dispatcher when you saw it and where you saw it. Stay on the telephone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.


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