MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The state banned outside brush burning on Tuesday to reduce the threat of fires during an extended dry stretch that’s forecast to last at least until the weekend.
The Tuesday order from the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation came a day after more than 25 fires were reported across the state. It forbids the state’s forest fire wardens from issuing burn permits in their communities.
In Brattleboro, a 50-acre fire was started Monday by a tree that fell on a power line. Another fire of similar size, also believed to have been started by a tree on a power line, broke out in Norwich.
On Tuesday, more than 50 firefighters were continuing to fight the Brattleboro fire.
Other fires were reported from one end of the state to the other.
“We are seeing fast-moving fires burning intensely in difficult terrain and with damage to structures or with structures threatened,” said Lars Lund, the Vermont forest fire supervisor.
A red-flag warning about possible fire danger that was issued by the National Weather Service expired Monday night because the winds had died down, but the dry conditions persisted. There is no significant rain in the forecast at least through the weekend.
The order banning the issuance of burn permits lasts for two weeks. Lund said the order can be changed if the conditions change on the ground.
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