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Morning Edition: Dry Conditions Spark Brush Fires

p.Gordon (Flickr Creative Commons)

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Tucker/Morning%20Edition%2003-28-2012.mp3

The brush fire that burned more than 50 acres in East Haddam's Devil's Hopyard State Park has been contained.

The fire that broke out Monday night in a remote area of the park spread quickly due to dry conditions, high winds and downed hemlock trees. Witnesses say the the fire was intense, so much so that firefighters were pulled back from the blaze late Monday night. Susan Frechette, Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Conservation for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says it's unclear who or what started the fire.

"Well at this point it will be under investigation starting today, once our crews get in there. Most fires are human caused and we believe this one probably was as well but we'll know more once we get in there and start looking."

The mixture of dry conditions and high winds sparked at least two other brush fires in the state, and prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag alert for the state. Frechette says the East Haddam fire did not cause any damage to structures in Devil's Hopyard, but did get close to two homes near the park. The fire is out, but firefighters from the DEEP are on the scene to ensure no additional fires flare up from the embers.

Ray Hardman is Connecticut Public’s Arts and Culture Reporter. He is the host of CPTV’s Emmy-nominated original series Where Art Thou? Listeners to Connecticut Public Radio may know Ray as the local voice of Morning Edition, and later of All Things Considered.

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