As a large brush fire in the woods of Berlin burned for a fourth day, state environmental officials said crews are working a series of other wildfires across tinder-dry Connecticut.
The Berlin fire, on Lamentation Mountain, covered 107 acres as of an update from Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio at 3 pm on Thursday. Two Connecticut National Guard helicopters are being used to douse the flames, using water scooped from nearby Silver Lake. They’re joined by a helicopter on loan from the forestry service in Maine. Between 40 and 50 fire crew members are working the fire on the ground, on 24-hour shifts.
Late Thursday afternoon, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that its crews are managing at least eight other fires:
--In Canaan, at Cobble Rd. and Rte. 63, estimated at 2.8 acres “with reduced risk of expansion thanks to Canaan Fire Department and DEEP resources.”
--In Vernon, on Reservoir Rd., estimated at 9 acres, “DEEP fire personnel on scene today maintaining perimeter.”
--Weston Saugatuck Reservoir Island, estimated at 0.8 acres, “DEEP monitoring.”
DEEP says local fire departments are also covering fires on Meriden Mountain and in Burlington, East Granby, Easton and Tolland—and the agency is hoping to prevent others.
“The dry weather coupled with the accumulation of fallen leaves, creates the perfect conditions for fires to ignite and spread quickly,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “It’s critical for everyone to be aware of the heightened fire danger and to take precautions to prevent accidental fires during this vulnerable time."
Officials say fighting these fires is dangerous, time-consuming and expensive.
Wethersfield volunteer firefighter Robert Sharkevich, 66, died on Tuesday while working the Berlin fire. Meriden police say that a UTV (utility terrain vehicle) being driven on rugged terrain rolled over onto Sharkevich. Three others were injured.
A wake for Sharkevich will be held Sunday at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Homes in Wethersfield. His funeral is set for Monday at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral in Hartford.
In announcing that Connecticut has requested a fire management assistance grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund the effort in Berlin, state Emergency Management Director Bill Turner said the National Guard estimates that keeping its two helicopters in the air could cost $100,000 per day.