Just after 5:30 p.m. on April 24, the Gales Ferry Volunteer Fire Company and Ledyard companies responded to a reported brush fire in the 300 block of Colonel Ledyard Highway.

Initial units reported a massive, rapidly spreading fire that was difficult to approach. This led to demands for mutual aid in the form of men and water supplies, as well as a callback from career staff. Tanker operations assisted suppression efforts on the north side, while crews on the south side drawn from a distant water supply and transported portable pumps into the woods due to the isolated position.

CT DEEP officials estimated the fire burned over four acres. This marked the second brush fire in town that day. Officials reminded residents that open burning requires a permit and urged caution due to dry conditions and increased fire danger.