Newtown Fire Marshal Rich Frampton is enforcing a “no burn” mandate as the regional National Weather Service Red Flag Warning continues at least through Wednesday, April 12.

The no burn mandate came hours after dozens of volunteer firefighters from across Newtown and neighboring communities cleared from the second response to a stubborn spreading brush fire in the area of Walnut Tree Hill and Crows Nest roads in Sandy Hook.

That fire, which eventually burned more than 15 acres, was first reported late Tuesday afternoon and was reportedly sparked by a resident’s back yard bonfire.

The call eventually brought responders from Monroe, Stevenson, Roxbury, Southbury, Bethel, Stony Hill, multiple Danbury departments, Brookfield and beyond, who lent manpower and apparatus — particularly tankers for shuttling water — to fight the fire. The State Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) was also called for assistance.

Those crews cleared the scene Tuesday evening around 8:30, only to have a number of them summoned back around 10 pm after that fire restarted.

The fire marshal’s office stressed the “no burn” mandate is comprehensive, and includes any private brush burning including for permitted residents, no fire pits, uncovered barbecues, or any type of open fire until further notice — closed gas and charcoal grills are permitted.

Frampton also cautioned drivers and passengers in vehicles about tossing still burning smoking materials from vehicles, or disposing of smoking materials while walking or hiking outdoors locally. The fire marshal is also advising Newtown residents that he is considering issuing a CodeRED telephone advisory Wednesday to help spread the word and reinforce the mandate.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for all of southern New England starting at 10 am and continuing until 7 pm Wednesday evening. A brisk northwest wind gusting to 30 mph at times today combined with low relative humidity and mostly sunny skies is expected to result in very high fire danger.

Without any leaves on trees, surface fuels such as high grass, leaves and twigs can dry out very quickly in these conditions.

Any grass or brush fires that start today may spread rapidly. The most common causes of fire ignition are campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, equipment use and malfunctions, negligently discarded cigarettes, and intentional acts of arson.

The DEEP Forestry Division states that anyone who may have received a permit from their local Open Burning Official (Newtown Fire Marshal’s Office) to burn brush on their property, the permit is not valid if the Forest Fire Danger is rated high, very high or extreme and you are burning within 100 feet of a grassland or woodland.

Direct any questions to the fire marshal’s office at 203-270-4370, and if you see smoke or a brush fire, dial 911 immediately and be prepared to describe your exact location in order for firefighters to be directed appropriately.