The Fire Department (FDNY) has set up a specialized task force to battle and prevent NYC wildfires, scores of which have broken out across the five boroughs this month due to the Big Apple’s ongoing drought.
New York City has not seen substantial rainfall since September, and the prolonged dry spell has made the city’s parkland particularly vulnerable to brush fires. Between Nov. 1 and 14, the FDNY has battled 271 brush fires across the five boroughs, including at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Alley Pond Park in Queens and Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan.
Because of the wildfire frequency and the ongoing danger of parkland going up in a flash, Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker announced on Nov. 17 the formation of the task force, which includes fire marshals, fire inspectors and tactical drone units to coordinate rapid, effective responses, to brush fires, investigate their causes and enhance data and information sharing to guard against other fires in the future.
“By creating this task force, we are taking real action to prevent brush fires from occurring, putting protocols in place to keep our members safe while they are in the field, and working to identify the causes of these fires after they happen to keep New Yorkers safe in the future,” Tucker said. “I also want to urge New Yorkers to follow our important safety tips and help us reduce the chances of a brush fire occurring.”
The commissioner explained that the Brush Fire Task Force will focus on all facets of brush fire responses, both before, during and after they occur.
The FDNY will use drones and ground-based inspections to survey particularly high-risk areas and environmental conditions. Drones will also be dispatched during brush fires to provide real-time data on where the fires are spreading, identifying hot spots and keeping firefighters safe during such dangerous missions.
After each fire, the task force will conduct comprehensive investigations to determine its cause and origin, including examining burn patterns, weather conditions, and witness reports. Fire marshals will also work with local, state, and federal authorities in cases when arson is suspected.
The FDNY Community Affairs Unit, meanwhile, will conduct further public outreach to make New Yorkers aware about the risk of brush fires and what to do to prevent them. Some fire prevention tips, as the FDNY provided, include the following:
- Avoid outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, and any other open flames.
- Grilling has been banned in New York City Parks while the city remains in drought conditions.
- Be mindful of smoking. If you smoke outdoors, always dispose of your cigarette butts and matches properly.
- Take extra safety precautions when welding or undertaking other flammable construction activities, particularly when near dry grass or leaves.
- Stay on designated trails when enjoying parks. This will help protect surrounding vegetation and minimize the risk of accidental fires.
- Fireworks remain illegal across New York City.
- Remove litter and any excessive brush or leaves from sidewalks abutting residences and businesses.
For more information, visit nyc.gov/notifynyc.
As for the city’s dry spell, more sunny days are ahead for the first part of the week, with high temperatures in the mid-50s to low 60s. The National Weather Service has rain in the forecast for Wednesday night into Thursday, though possible precipitation rates are still unclear.
