Rocky Neck State Park remains closed after fire broke out on a hiking trail on Saturday.

The park and trail system remain closed as crews work to manage the fire, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The park will be closed until further notice.

🔥 Due to fire management operations, Rocky Neck State Park is closed until further notice. This includes the extensive trail system. 🥾https://t.co/hTyqADYHkW@CTStateParks pic.twitter.com/coIHaHCek0

— DEEP (@CTDEEPNews) November 4, 2024

Firefighters are battling several fires across the state amid dry conditions and a statewide emergency burn ban is in effect.

Outdoor grills, fire pits, campfires, kindling and use of flame are not allowed in any state parks, forests or other state-owned public lands. The ban also includes smoking and using lighters outdoors.

The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and parts of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are also closed.

Gov. Ned Lamont on Oct. 25 declared a state of emergency because of fire conditions.  

Authorities say there are potentially more challenges coming up this week and it could be months before the state is really out of the woods when it comes to the fire danger.

“We’re just trying to keep the residents of Connecticut safe,” said Rich Schenk, the fire control officer for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Burn bans are still in place as the state deals with dozens of fires.

A few new ones popped up on Sunday bringing the total to 111 being tracked statewide.

“Without rain, the ground is getting drier. The leaves, it’s like walking on potato chips out there,” Schenk said.

Firefighters are battling a fire in Rocky Neck State Park that has burned about 46 acres.

The park remains closed for public safety.

At the largest blaze in the state – the Hawthorne Fire in Berlin – there is promising news.

“We’re going to transition into more from the mop up phase to more of a patrol phase throughout this week,” said Chief Jonn Massirio, of the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department.

The fire is now considered 50% contained after scorching 127 acres.

But the coming days could bring warmer temperatures, gustier winds, and more red flag warnings.

“We’re still going to keep our guard up. They’re not gonna, you know, put our heads down. Still got to be vigilant. Across the state. Conditions still persist to be dry,” Massirio said.

Crews from outside the state have been called in to help. They could be here until December or January.

“We’re going to need some kind of weather pattern that changes what we’re in until we get some southern moisture coming up. I want to plan for the worst case scenario so that the state’s prepared and I don’t want to be caught shorthanded,” Schenk said.

At least at the Hawthorne Fire, crews are hopeful the fire containment can be increased this week.

The West Hartford U12 Boys Travel Soccer team won the Fall 2024 Connecticut Cup on Nov. 2, 2024.

Submitted

The U12 Boys Travel Soccer team from West Hartford defeated Enfield 2-1 on Saturday, Nov. 2, winning the Connecticut Cup Championship for the second year in a row.

Nick Hunt, a student at King Philip Middle School, scored both goals for West Hartford. Keeper Dallas Dodge IV had eight saves to secure the win.

In the fall of 2023, as a U11 team, they also won the Connecticut Cup.

The team is now coached by Erik Ribeiro, with Terry Phillip as assistant coach.

he West Hartford U12 Boys Travel Soccer team won the fall 2024 Connecticut Cup. Courtesy photo

he West Hartford U12 Boys Travel Soccer team won the fall 2024 Connecticut Cup. Courtesy photo

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he West Hartford U12 Boys Travel Soccer team won the fall 2024 Connecticut Cup. Courtesy photo

The West Hartford U12 Boys Travel Soccer team won the fall 2024 Connecticut Cup. Courtesy photo

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