By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
With no significant rainfall expected, the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and three fire departments are warning residents of a continued elevated fire risk, including brush fires.
Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana and chiefs of the West Haven, West Shore and City of West Haven Allingtown fire departments have convened and prepared a mutual response plan in the event of a brush fire.
To bolster the plan and safeguard the public, Mayor Dorinda Borer has issued an emergency declaration ordering “a burn ban prohibiting the use of all outdoor firepits, campfires, or the kindling or use of any flame out of doors until further notice.”
“This small bit of rain we recently received does not provide for a relief from threat,” Borer said. “With high winds expected, unusual warm weather and little precipitation, risk of fires continues to be a great threat. Please continue to work with us over the next few weeks and abide by the state and city restrictions in order to protect life and property.”
To avoid accidentally starting a fire, Fontana said residents should heed the following tips:
~~ Do not operate a vehicle off-road in brush or high grass. The hot exhaust system can ignite grass or brush.
~~ No bonfires or firepit or open flame activity.
~~ Do not discard any burning items outdoors. Hot embers, cigarettes and matches can ignite dry grass or brush.
~~ Faulty brakes or dragging metal under or behind a vehicle can also send sparks into roadside grass.
Read Borer’s emergency declaration: https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/DocumentCenter/View/6831/Mayor-Dorinda-Borer-Emergency-Declaration-10-29-2024-PDF.
Also, the city has secured a grant for smoke detectors. Residents can call their local West Haven fire department to schedule an installation of the new detectors, which are free while supplies last.