Firefighters Fight Two Brush Fires as Forest Fire Warning Remains High
Press Release
Westport Firefighters were dispatched to two simultaneous brush fires, one on the Sherwood Island Connector at Nyala Farms Road and the other on Parsell Lane.
The fire on the Sherwood Island Connector was discovered by a Westport Fire Inspector and was quickly extinguished by Westport Engine 2. The second fire was located at the end of Parsell Lane and was burning in grass and marsh situated between Parsell Lane and the Connecticut Turnpike. A total of 30 firefighters and officers from Westport and the Fairfield Fire Department responded with seven engines, one ladder, and four chief officers. Firefighters deployed seven hose lines and the fire burned approximately 3.5 acres. There was no property damage or injuries and firefighters were on the scene for 2 hours to extinguish and mop up the fire. The cause of the two fires is under investigation.
Connecticut traditionally experiences high forest fire danger in the spring from mid-March through May. With little rainfall in the last weeks and low relative humidity, the fire danger has been “High” or “Very High” the previous week. Forest fire danger levels are classified as low, moderate, high, very high, or extreme. In an average year, approximately 500 acres of Connecticut woodland are burned by forest and brush fires. If you spot a brush fire, remain calm and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to your local fire department. Calmly tell the emergency dispatcher when and where you saw it. Stay on the telephone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.