Dry conditions and winds create ‘perfect storm' for wildfires. Here's why CT's drought may persist

Yahoo

14-03-2025

Most of Connecticut remains in drought conditions as below-average snowfall over the winter months has led to dry soil along with heavy wind gusts, creating the 'perfect storm' for wildfire danger.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly half of the state, including Hartford County, is experiencing a severe drought. New Haven and New London Counties closer to the shoreline are experiencing a mild drought, according to the monitor. Only a small portion of the northwest corner of Connecticut is experiencing 'abnormally dry' conditions that have not been upgraded to a drought.
The dry conditions come amid the historically windy season in March and April, as stronger temperature differences and pressure gradients lead to more frequent and intense winds. The combination of wind and drought conditions can lead to an uptick in 'fire weather,' which officials warn can be deadly and dangerous.
'It's kind of the perfect storm for potential wildfires,' said AccuWeather meteorologist Tyler Royce. 'There's very little vegetation in terms of leaves on the trees right now. So what happens is that the sun angle changes and it warms the ground out and the wind dries things up. So you really have the right combinations for fire weather.'
The drought is most likely to persist through the next several weeks, according to Royce. He said that the dry conditions facing the state are more 'unusual' than in past years, as precipitation remains below average over two seasons.
'When we get into the summertime, we may be closer to where we need to be, but because we saw such little precipitation in the fall, the ground is not able to hold the soil moisture long,' Royce said. 'So unless we get steady rainfall, we're looking at a prolonged dry season through the spring.'
This winter saw below-average snowfall in Connecticut, according to Gary Lessor, chief meteorologist at Western Connecticut State University. This year, there was 21.7 inches of snowfall from December through Feb. 28, compared to the normal 39.1 inches of snowfall for that same time frame. Winter precipitation — which includes rain and hail — was 8.85 inches from December through Feb. 28, compared to the normal of 10.49 inches.
'We really needed to have normal or above normal snowfall or at least precipitation totals for this winter,' Lessor said. 'As we go into spring, that's going to make us really need more precipitation, to make up for the deficit from the winter and fall. Because if we go into a very hot and dry summer, then we're going to be in a world of severe drought.'
Lessor said that the state has experienced more intense storms that bring heavy precipitation with periods of prolonged dryness in between. He said that one-day heavy precipitation events are not as consistent rainfall over a period of days to alleviate drought conditions. Heavy precipitation events often cause soil runoff and don't penetrate the ground as well as consistent rainfall over several days.
'This is what climate change is all about,' Lessor said. 'We had the epic rainfall last summer and then the extreme drought in the fall. This is what we're going to be facing probably at least for the rest of our lifetimes and probably for hundreds of years to come.'
Connecticut traditionally experiences high forest fire danger in the spring from mid-March through May, according to officials. The state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Division of Forestry constantly monitors the danger of forest fires to help protect Connecticut's 1.8 million acres of forested land.
The Forest Fire Danger Level remains 'high' as dry conditions persist throughout the state, according to DEEP.
The dry weather has also put pressure on firefighters battling wildfires. In Manchester, a wildfire closed a part of Interstate 84 on Tuesday night as multiple crews responded to battle the blaze. Responding crews found three separate brush fires and with the help of nearby fire departments, they were all extinguished before any homes were damaged, according to a statement from the Manchester Fire Department.
'On Bryan Drive, the fire encroached within 15 feet of structures, but there was no damage sustained. Companies operated for approximately 90 minutes, bringing the fire under control and thoroughly overhauling the area. There were no injuries sustained, and the incident is presently under investigation by the office of the Fire Marshal,' the Manchester Fire Department said in a statement.
The high risk of wildfires has also prompted state and local officials to call for the temporary closure of the NextEra solar project in East Windsor until the safety of residents there is secured, according to a press release. The calls for closure come after a fire broke out at the project on March 11 following reports of sparking wires several days prior at its site.
A delegation of lawmakers including Connecticut state Sen. Saud Anwa state Reps. Jaime Foster and Carol Hall, First Selectman Jason Bowsza and members of the East Windsor community said that current weather conditions have made the site unsafe.
The nearest properties abutting the project are 124 feet away from its development site, making any potential fires threatening to local property and safety, according to officials.
A DEEP spokesperson told the Courant it won't speculate if another open burning ban will be needed this year, but officials said they are urging caution. The department issued guidelines this week on safe practices for wood burning along with what to do if you encounter a wildfire.
'If you spot a forest fire, remain calm, go to the nearest telephone and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to your local fire department,' according to DEEP. 'Tell the emergency dispatcher when you saw it and where you saw it. If you see anything suspicious at or near the scene of the fire, take note and relay that to 911 as well. Stay on the telephone until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.'
Last October, unprecedented drought conditions over several months led Connecticut to enact a statewide burn ban as crews battled wildfires throughout the state. The Hawthorne fire in Berlin, one of the largest in Connecticut history, took several days, along with hundreds of fire crews, to contain the flames. One firefighter was killed helping fight the blaze.
'Last fall's open burn ban was a result of two months of no precipitation which caused the drought,' a spokesperson for DEEP said. 'Droughts do not drive burn bans, though they may contribute to wildfire risk.'
DEEP's Forest Fire Control Office urges anyone who uses the state's parks, forests and open spaces to use fire with caution and heed the following recommendations, especially during forest fire season:
Obey local laws regarding open fires, including campfires.
Keep all flammable objects away from fire. Scrape away leaves, twigs and grass within a 10-foot diameter circle from fire.
Have firefighting tools nearby and handy.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Carefully dispose of hot coal/ashes.
Drown all fires.
Carefully extinguish smoking materials.
For Connecticut homeowners, DEEP recommends the following steps to protect family members and the home:
Make a fire-safe zone around your house. Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings.
Prune away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire-safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly.
Remove any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney.
Regularly remove leaves and needles from gutters.
Do not store firewood in the fire-safe zone.
Use fire-resistant roofing materials.
Make sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway that do not allow fire truck access.
Have an escape plan and practice it.
Follow state and local open burning laws.
Stay with outside fires until they are completely safe and extinguished.
Dispose of wood ashes in a metal bucket and soak them with water before dumping them.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [e-mail].