Berlin

CT National Guard called in to help crews contain massive brush fire in Berlin

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The Connecticut National Guard has been activated to help deal with the fire on Lamentation Mountain in the Berlin-Meriden area, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

They will use a Chinook helicopter and a Black Hawk helicopter to dump water on the fire.

The head of emergency management for Connecticut said the state has also asked the Maine Forestry Division for air support to help douse the fire from above. The crew from Maine is expected to be in Connecticut by Wednesday morning.

Firefighters are continuing to battle a massive brush fire that started on a mountain in Berlin on Monday evening and has burned 80 to 90 acres. It is expected to take days to contain.

Firefighters have been working to contain a massive brush fire that broke out on a mountain in Berlin Monday evening. It is expected to take days to contain. 

Residents reported fire on the west side of Lamentation Mountain around 5:44 p.m. Monday and efforts were made to contain as much of it as possible, according to the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department.

Firefighters are using hand tools to set up a perimeter around it to let it burn from the inside and they said they also have contingency plans in place.

Officials said firefighters will set some back fires overnight in an attempt to control the blaze.

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Steep and rocky terrain limited what crews could do overnight and firefighters returned Tuesday morning to continue work to contain the fire.

Fire officials said the fire is east of Sea Green Drive and Bannon Lane and slowly moving northeast.

People were asked to avoid the Berlin Turnpike in the area of the fire.

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The fire department said a no-fly restriction is in place. Crews from Newington, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Cromwell, Westfield and Meriden are assisting.

Homes are not believed to be in danger and no evacuations are expected.

Fire officials said the fire is close to houses, but it is uphill and there is a rock ridgeline.

The dry stretch of weather will create an elevated brush fire danger over the coming week. It could take days to fully put out the fire.

Dozens of firefighters are responding to the scene and Lamentation Mountain State Park is closed at this time.

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