Cost to fight brush fires more than a million dollars, DEEP says [Video]

BERLIN, Conn. (WFSB) – The entire state is still in a moderate or severe drought tonight, according to the US drought monitor.

It has been so dry that first responders have battled several large brush fires this fall.

It took weeks to contain the Hawthorne Fire on Lamentation Mountain which spread to more than 120 acres.

With crews coming in from around the country and Canada, it will cost more than a million dollars.

Chris Martin is the Connecticut State Forester with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. He explained why taking down daunting brush fires costs millions.

“Fuel, food, hotel, vehicle, number of hours for different pumps, excavators, and bulldozers that we used,” Martin said.

High-priced helicopters from the Air National Guard were key in fighting the Berlin brush fire. Chris believes they cost $100,000 a day.

Out-of-state crews also get paid and need food and hotel rooms.

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