At the request of local fire chiefs, Newtown Emergency Operations Communications Center Director Maureen Will has issued a CodeRED message reminding residents that due to current weather conditions — and the calendar — there is to be no outdoor burning until further notice.

Will issued the notice mid-afternoon Sunday.

The recorded message was, she said, to remind residents “due to the red flag weather conditions, there is no burning of brush, or outside fires, without a permit from the fire marshal’s office, and no permits have been issued.

“Due to the extremely dry conditions, DEEP has implemented a statewide burn ban at all state parks, forests and trails," she added.

The CT DEEP ban went into effect yesterday and prohibits the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state.

On its website CT DEEP is asking everyone to “Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time.”

The DEEP announcement came one day after Governor Ned Lamont Connecticut issued a declaration of civil preparedness emergency pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 28-9 for the emergency response to the Hawthorne Fire in Berlin that started on Monday, as well as for the continued response to other fires across the state until weather conditions improve, and a significant fire threat is no longer present.

The DEEP order will remain in effect for the duration of the state of emergency issued by the governor, unless earlier modified or revoked by DEEP Commissioner Katherine Dykes. An infraction will follow a violation of this prohibition, according to the commissioner's announcement.

In her message, Will asked residents to remember that ember can travel far and ignite a fire anywhere.

“Again, no permits have been issued by the Town Fire Marshal for outdoor burning. If you need further information contact the Fire Marshal’s Office on Monday at 203-270-4370 and you can read further information at ct.gov,” she concluded.

Fire companies in town and across the state have responded to multiple brush fires, and concerns over the odor of smoke, all week.

Connecticut is experiencing an unusually dry autumn and conditions are ripe for brush fires. Locally, burning large piles of leaves at this time of the year and especially under current fire conditions — is not allowed.

The Forest Fire Danger Level for Fairfield, Litchfield, Holland and Tolland counties has been Extreme for days.

In Newtown, burn permits are issued November 1-March 31 only. They are $5 and are available at the Office of the Fire Marshal, within Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, weekdays between 8 am and 4:30 pm.

Permits are issued for the burning of brush only, 3" in diameter or smaller.

Tree stumps, roots, grass, leaves and construction materials cannot be burned.

A fire marshal will visit the site to check the placement of the pile on the property and the content of the pile.

After receiving a permit, those planning burns must then contact the Town’s Dispatch Center (203-270-4200) on the day of the scheduled burn to learn if weather conditions allow such activity on that day. Permit holders will be asked for their name, the address, and permit number of their burn.

All permits are canceled when the forest fire danger is High, Very High or Extreme; and/or on high wind days, or if the air quality in the state is poor. On a scheduled open burn day, there must be wind between 5-15 mph to help the smoke dissipate.