Several Beaches, Ponds Reach Parking Capacity

Several parks and beaches have reached parking capacity as the heat intensifies.

Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, Gardner Lake State Park in Salem, Miller's Pond State Park in Durham, Pattaconk recreation area in Cockaponset State Forest, Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown and Squantz Pond in New Fairfield have reached parking capacity.

Burr Pond State Park in Torrington is also full to parking capacity.

No new vehicles are being allowed in.

There is also a beach closure in East Lyme, but it is because of bacteria levels. Elevated bacteria levels were found at Giants Neck Heights (jetty) in East Lyme and the area is closed for swimming or wading, according to the Ledge Light Health District. 

These closures come during a weekend of extreme heat. Temperatures today are expected to reach the upper 90s with some cities and towns hitting as high as 100 degrees. 

The NBC Connecticut meteorologists have issued a First Alert for extreme heat and an Excessive Heat Warning has been issued for all of the state.