In the middle of the darkness, large flames could be seen among the firefighters who arrived on Friday night to control a forest fire, in the section of the park known as the Nethermead esplanade, in Prospect Park.

The Commissioner of the Fire Department, Robert Tucker, ensured that the incident was controlled after several units of the department responded to the emergency call.

“We ask New Yorkers not to throw cigarette butts on the ground and to be like the person who was walking through the park and saw the flames, reporting immediately, as the also, barbecues should not be held in parks, because this is our new reality. because of the drought,” said Fire Department Commissioner Robert Tucker.

The causes of this fire are still under investigation.

However, what is clear is that there is too much dry vegetation in all the parks; Dry leaves and logs become fuel with just a small spark.

Prospect Park resident Michael Pérez said:

“I think that everything is changing now and I think that man is harming the planet Earth, because in this cold period at least he will ‘ snow and everything is dry and it even gets hot, then it gets cold, that is, we are bad, I say.”

Authorities also reported another forest fire that occurred in the Bronx, in the wooded area of ​​High Bridge Park.

The firemen also reached there, and managed to put him out.

These fires occur amid the current drought across the northeastern United States.

Other fires were reported in the state of New Jersey, which is why the National Weather Service at the federal level issued a red warning for the area from Friday, which means an increased risk of spread fire.

“Wow, it’s not raining. There’s no humidity. It’s not raining. We need the water. The leaf is dry and all that. Whatever people do ‘throw, that’s the game. So that tends to fall in the game. And we have to be careful with things, because if we don’t take care of nature, who’s going to take care of it?

On Friday, firefighters remained at the park overnight to monitor and make sure the flames did not flare up.

“And I don’t know if we need to clean it up a bit here, but there are enough leaves here that will help, the fire will spread further and I think we should to help a little,” said Michael Pérez.

The Fire Department has noted that the city is under drought control due to historic water shortages and urged New Yorkers to conserve water.

Additionally, they advise calling 911 to report a forest fire.

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Mayor’s statement on fire prevention, outlining additional measures being taken to mitigate increased fire risk.

airnow.gov

Starting this Saturday, grilling will be banned in New York City parks while the city remains in drought conditions, while smoking and other open flame sources remain illegal throughout the park system.

The report shows that 120 bush fires have occurred in the last 10 days

Promotes airnow.gov, a website where you can view air quality data by zip code

“Police and personnel from the Department of the Environment’s Office of Water Supply have joined local and state first responders in fighting wildfires in and near the northern watershed of the state since a few weeks, depending on their responsibility to protect New York City’s water sources. That includes fighting a 400-acre wildfire now burning in the New York Basin in Ulster County, using DEP helicopters for quick and effective response. the wooded areas, and assisting firefighting efforts in nearby areas.

“As conditions continue to worsen, the city may need to declare a drought warning or subsequently a drought emergency, which includes increased requirements to reduce water use in city entities.”

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Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul provided an update today on the wildfires occurring in New York State and has deployed a multi-agency response to fires in Ulster, Sullivan counties and Orange in close coordination with local fire departments and first responders.

New York State has also issued an Air Quality Health Advisory because smoke and fine particles may reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups in the New York City metropolitan area.

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