'Extreme' Dry, Drought Conditions In Weston Keep Firefighters On Edge

WESTON, CT — The Weston Fire Department has invalidated all burn permits in the wake of an unprecedented statewide drought currently fueling dozens of brush fires throughout Connecticut.

"We have responded to seven outdoor fires this month which were quickly extinguished but due to the weather conditions all had the potential to rapidly spread, which in some instances could have impacted residences and businesses," WFD spokesman Ryan Blake told Patch in an email.

Town fire officials are also asking residents to refrain from using all outdoor grills, chimneys, fire pits, campfires, candles, fireworks and any kindling. Also discouraged is the use of equipment such as power tools or recreational vehicles that can create sparks, which can lead to fire.

A similar emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas since last week.

While the recent rain Wednesday into Thursday was, in the words of state officials, a "good morale boost," it wasn't much more than that for crews fighting a massive brush fire in Berlin. Several other brush fires are popping up amid the statewide burn ban, but they all appear to be manageable.

The Forest Fire Danger Level in Weston for Thursday, Oct. 31, is "extreme."