CONNECTICUT, USA — Red flags are never something to ignore, especially when warning you of the high risk of fire.
Connecticut is facing a higher risk of fire currently. So what does it mean?
A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger.
In March 2021, Connecticut saw a few days of Red Flag warnings as the conditions at the time prompted several brush fires to ignite across the state.
“Red flag days are no fire in the backyard days,” Meriden Fire Chief Kenneth Morgan said at the time while his department tackled a brush fire that day. “Any fire could become a big fire, so we advise people who are going to go out to hike in the woods or in the wilderness not to smoke, not to start fires [in order] to stay warm – these are the kind of things that can get out of hand.”
“The higher wind, the faster it pushes and moves the fire. So on days like today when we have these Red Flag warnings, it's one of the reasons we're so concerned about brush fires is the wind rapidly intensifies it,” explained Derby Fire Chief David Lenart at the time.
The National Weather Service has advice and steps you can follow in order to keep the fire danger at a minimum:
- If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.
- Do not throw cigarettes or matches out of a moving vehicle. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a wildfire.
- Extinguish all outdoor fires properly. Drown fires with plenty of water and stir to ensure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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