The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be conducting prescribed burns at nine locations this spring.
Among the nine locations are:
- Barn Island Wildlife Management Area in Stonington
- James L. Goodwin State Forest in Hampton
- Mansfield Hollow State Park in Mansfield
- Matianuck Natural Area Preserve in Windsor
- Nehantic State Forest in Lyme
- Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown
- Quinebaug River Wildlife Management Area in Plainfield
- Tunxis State Forest in West Hartland
- Windsor Wildlife Management Area in Windsor
The burns will be led by the DEEP Forestry Division, with help from trained staff in DEEP’s wildlife, state parks, and support services divisions.
DEEP said that each burn will follow a detailed plan designed to ensure safety and effectiveness. Local officials and fire departments will be notified in advance.
Burn areas will be closed on burn days, and warning signs will be posted. The public may see or smell smoke during the operation.
“In addition to providing significant benefits for wildlife habitat and wildfire fuel reduction, prescribed burns offer outstanding training opportunities for DEEP’s wildfire firefighters who help protect Connecticut’s communities and natural resources. Exercises like these strengthen coordination, sharpen critical skills, and ensure our crews are fully prepared to respond to wildfires such as the Hawthorne wildfire in 2024 — one of the worst in Connecticut’s history,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes.
More information about DEEP’s prescribed burns can be found here.
