Milford Brush Fires 'Suspicious'

Milford firefighters have responded to more than 20 brush fires since mid-April, a pattern that is under investigation and deemed "suspicious."

The fires are under investigation by the Milford Police and Milford Fire Department.

The fires began in the second week of April, said Milford Fire Chief John Touhey, which is part of the state's brush fire season due to conditions including low humidity. But the number of brush fires is unusual, he said.

He estimated the number is more than double what surrounding communities have had this year. And the locations, deep into the woods, are drawing attention. The fires are not rekindling from previous burns, he said, but in new locations.

The fires were reported in woods in three or four generalized areas, including off Ebens Street, off Haven Street, and the Vietnam Trails area off Cedar Street. All of the areas have trails in the vicinity, he said. At times the department has had multiple fires in a day.

"There's not a lot of ignition sources in the woods," Touhey said.

Brush fires can be started by carelessly tossed cigarettes, or by unattended or improperly extinguished camp fires. But the firefighters are not finding the remains of camp fires, he said.

From a firefighting perspective, the fires are a drain on resources and have required the department to call in firefighters on overtime. The water has to be hauled in on trucks. The department has relied in many cases on mutual aid, which provides assistance from surrounding communities.

"These are manpower intensive," the chief said.