Fire Danger Warning Issued

Dry and windy conditions could lead to brush fires on Wednesday.

Dry and windy conditions in Connecticut have created a serious danger of brush fires and firefighters were battling one in a nature preserve on Northrop Street in Bridgewater on Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for Hartford, Litchfield, Tolland and Windham counties. In Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties, there is a red flag warning until 9 p.m.

Burning is not allowed on days when the fire danger is high, very high or extreme, even for residents who have permits, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The state has seen very little rain for the past few months, creating prime conditions for brush fires. Debris left on the ground from Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm provides fuel for the flames, according to NBC Connecticut meteorologist Bob Maxon.

High winds on Wednesday are also a contributing factor to the fire danger.

Last week, brush fires were sparked in several towns, including a fire that charred more than 130 acres in Devil's Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, according to some reports. Firefighters lit backfires to protect two homes that were nearby.

On Tuesday night, firefighters in Plainville battled a fire at the Plainville transfer station when a pile of storm debris caught fire.

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