The Forest Fire Danger Level for Thursday, April 24, 2014 is VERY HIGH 

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for all of CT today. 

Connecticut traditionally experiences high forest fire danger in the Spring from mid-March through May. The Department Energy & Environmental Protection's (DEEP) 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.

Local permits restricted today

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.

 Report any burning through 911

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.

What is a Red Flag Alert?

A Red Flag Warning means that critical Fire weather conditions are expected or occurring. The National Weather Services issues a Red Flag Alert when a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will create explosive Fire growth potential.

Red Flag Warning in effect from 9 am this morning to 8 pm EDT this evening for Connecticut.

• Affected area: Connecticut.
• Winds: northwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
• Relative humidity: as low as 12 percent.
• Timing: late this morning through this evening.
• Impacts: rapid fire spread possible if ignition occurs.

As Smokey Bear says "Only you can prevent wildfires!"