Connecticut Declares Emergency Amid Historic Drought

Connecticut is facing a severe wildfire crisis due to its worst drought on record, with Governor Ned Lamont declaring a state of emergency. Since mid-September, New Jersey has seen 377 wildfires consuming over 628 acres, while Connecticut has recorded 84 wildfires since October 21, a drastic rise from just five last year. The largest fire in Connecticut, the 'Hawthorne Fire' in Berlin, has burned over 120 acres and is believed to have started from a campfire. Fire officials report that human activity causes 99% of these wildfires, and the risk of reignition remains high even for contained fires. The National Guard has been deployed, dropping over 340,000 gallons of water to combat the blazes, with additional support from neighboring states' crews. Amidst these efforts, officials are urging residents to refrain from any outdoor flames until significant rainfall occurs.