More of Pachaug State Forest Closed Over EEE

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is expanding the areas of Pachaug State Forest closed to the public because of the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in mosquitoes.

The state will also be conducting ground spraying in the area to reduce the number of mosquitoes. 

The portion of the park to be closed and treated is commonly known as the Mt. Misery or Chapman area and will encompass the forest interior roads and campground areas (all on state property) bound by east of Route 201, north of Route 138, west of Route 49 and south of Hell Hollow Road.

On August 21, DEEP closed two of its campgrounds in Pachaug State Forest because of EEE and the campgrounds and this portion of the state forest will remain closed until further notice.

“Based on the continued presence of EEE in this portion of Pachaug State Forest, and in consultation with the mosquito management team, it was decided to close a larger area of the forest and to spray in an attempt to minimize the number of mosquitoes in the vicinity,” said DEEP Commissioner Daniel C. Esty.  “CAES will trap and test mosquitoes both before and after tonight’s spraying so that we have sound information to assist us in deciding on our next course of action.”

DPH recommends that communities around the forest curtail any outdoor activities scheduled after 7 p.m. 

The mosquitoes that have currently tested positive for EEE were trapped in Voluntown on August 21 and 22. 

Mosquitoes with EEE were previously identified at the same site on July 10, July 17, and August 13. 

While those EEE-infected mosquitoes trapped on July 10 and July 17 were limited to a bird-feeding species, the mosquitoes trapped on August 13, 21, and 22 include both bird-feeding mosquitoes and those that feed on birds and people.

Signs have been posted in this portion of the forest by DEEP staff advising visitors of the closure due to the presence of EEE. 

Visitors can go to the DEEP website at http://www.ct.gov/deep for alternate camping areas and outdoor recreation areas.