At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Governor Ned Lamont said Connecticut is in its worst drought since 1905, when records first began to be kept.

“Our state is a tinderbox,” said the governor. “Everything is incredibly flammable. What we need is a soaking rain.”

With no significant rain in the near-term forecast, he said, “For God’s sake, be careful.”

The governor read from a list of ways the public can avoid the risk of starting a fire: no open flames outdoors, no campfires, fire pits, bonfires or outdoor cooking. All of these things, said Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes, are banned on state parks and facilities.

The Hawthorne Fire in the town of Berlin, which started a week ago and has so far consumed 121 acres, is believed to have started by a campfire.

Some 240,000 gallons of water have been dropped on that blaze by Connecticut National Guard helicopters, according to Guard commander Major General Francis Evon Jr., who noted that the last time that was necessary was in 1995.

Commissioner Dykes said the state currently has 50 active fires. State Forester Chris Martin said three of them, ranging in size from nine to 15 acres, are of particular concern.

None of the fires, said Mr. Martin, are considered contained or controlled, as they all have the potential to reignite.

On Sunday, Weston and Easton firefighters responded once again to a brush fire at Trout Brook Valley Preserve, tackling a blaze on about 2,500 square feet. Firefighters and equipment were transported by boat to the scene of the fire, extinguished it by using portable pumps, and worked in the area several more hours to prevent a recurrence.

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