The DEEP's Forest Fire Control Office urges all who enjoy the use of Connecticut's parks, forests and open spaces, to use fires with caution and practice forest fire prevention tips especially during forest fire season. People need to obey local laws regarding open fires, carefully dispose of hot charcoal, and completely extinguish smoking materials.

Forest Fire Danger Rating

The DEEP Division of Forestry issues Forest Fire Danger Ratings for Connecticut. A National Fire Danger Rating system that utilizes two indexes is used in Connecticut. The "spread" of a fire is predicted with the Spread Index, which is a numeric rating that corresponds with how fast a fire travels in 'Chains per Hour' (a chain is 66'). For example, if a prediction is made that the Spread Index will be 19, it means the fire is predicted to spread 1254 feet (19 x 66') in an hour.

Connecticut also uses a Build Up index that measures drought. It is a relative scale that is based upon past precipitation.

The 5 Forest Fire Danger Ratings or Class Days are:

Forest Fire Danger Rating

The DEEP Division of Forestry issues Forest Fire Danger Ratings for Connecticut. A National Fire Danger Rating system that utilizes two indexes is used in Connecticut. The "spread" of a fire is predicted with the Spread Index, which is a numeric rating that corresponds with how fast a fire travels in 'Chains per Hour' (a chain is 66'). For example, if a prediction is made that the Spread Index will be 19, it means the fire is predicted to spread 1254 feet (19 x 66') in an hour.

Connecticut also uses a Build Up index that measures drought. It is a relative scale that is based upon past precipitation.