Red Flag Warning Closes Webb Mountain Park In Monroe

MONROE, CT — The Monroe Parks & Rec Department has closed Webb Mountain Park until Monday, Nov. 4.

No camping, grilling, bonfires or car access will be allowed past the front gate until that date.

Parks & Rec officials said the decision was made Tuesday with the guidance of Monroe Fire Marshal Bill Davin in consideration of the state being under a Red Flag Warning.

Staff will be reaching out to scheduled campers to provide refunds or rescheduling, but there may not be a lot of wiggle room: Park officials warn the closure could extend further into November, and the park closes for the season on noon, Nov. 10.

An unprecedented statewide drought is currently fueling dozens of brush fires throughout the state and stretching Connecticut fire-fighting resources thin, Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday.

A brush fire in Berlin has grown from 60 to over 120 acres in size, according to Connecticut's State Forester Chris Martin. The so-called "Hawthorne Fire" is one of over 50 active fires DEEP is currently tracking. Lamont said that fire control authorities believe the blaze started as a camp fire.