New York City is grappling with an alarming surge in brush fires, fueled by the historic drought currently gripping the northeastern United States. On Thursday, a smoky haze settled over parts of the city as firefighters worked tirelessly to contain a growing number of wildfires that have been sweeping across urban parks and green spaces.
One of the largest fires broke out in Inwood Hill Park, a 200-acre natural area at the confluence of the Hudson and Harlem Rivers. The blaze, which quickly escalated to a three-alarm fire, threatened Manhattan’s largest remaining old-growth forest. Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker confirmed that there were no injuries, despite the difficult conditions faced by the 140 firefighters battling the flames. The fire was complicated by falling trees, challenging terrain, and limited access to water.
“There aren’t fire hydrants in the middle of a forest,” Tucker said. “We had to rely on water from the Harlem River, and these are extremely hazardous conditions for our firefighters.”
From October 29 to November 12, the Fire Department of New York responded to 229 brush fires, setting a new record for any two-week period. This figure does not include the Inwood Hill Park fire. Wildfires have spread across all five boroughs, including blazes in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and the Bronx’s Highbridge Park.
“These dry conditions in October and November have led to an unprecedented number of brush fires,” Tucker added. “We need the public to remain cautious and help us prevent these fires from spreading.”
Drought Conditions Fuel Unprecedented Fire Risk
The uptick in brush fires is a direct result of the ongoing drought affecting much of the northeastern U.S. and parts of New England. Red flag warnings, which indicate extreme fire danger, have been issued across several states due to the dangerously dry conditions. In New York, a statewide burn ban is in place until the end of the month, prohibiting outdoor fires for activities like brush clearing, debris burning, and recreational campfires.
October saw a dramatic rainfall deficit in Central Park, with just 0.01 inches of rain recorded—far below the usual 3.9 inches. To make matters worse, New York City has been facing a water shortage, prompting Mayor Eric Adams to urge residents to conserve water. The mayor has recommended shorter showers, turning off taps while brushing teeth, and fixing any leaking pipes.
While some rain is forecast for the coming days, meteorologists warn it will take much more to significantly reduce the fire risk across the region.
High-Pressure System Contributes to Dry Conditions
Meteorologists point to an unusually persistent high-pressure system that has been lingering over the Northeast for several weeks, blocking storm systems from entering the region. According to Adam Douty, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, this weather pattern has trapped dry air, preventing any meaningful rainfall. While these dry conditions are not directly caused by climate change, experts believe they reflect the broader trend of extreme weather events that have been linked to global warming.
David Robinson, a climatologist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, noted that while it’s difficult to definitively attribute these fires to climate change, the severity of the conditions fueling them is consistent with patterns of warmer, drier weather expected as a result of climate change.
Brush Fires Increasing in City Parks
Although brush fires in New York City parks are not new, their frequency has been increasing in recent years, especially during this exceptionally dry fall. Since 2020, the Fire Department of New York has responded to more than 400 fires in city parks, with nearly half of them categorized as brush fires.
Joseph Ten Eyck, the coordinator of wildfire urban-interface programs for the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), emphasized that these fires are part of a broader trend in which more urban areas are experiencing wildfires. He explained that large city parks, such as those in New York, often require specialized firefighting techniques, including rescue operations and the management of hazardous materials.
“New York City parks are surrounded by densely populated neighborhoods, which makes these fires even more dangerous,” Ten Eyck said. “We are training firefighters to be prepared for all types of emergencies, not just wildfires.”
Red Flag Warnings: What You Need to Know
The National Weather Service issues red flag warnings when the combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds creates a critical risk for fires. A red flag warning is issued when humidity levels fall below 15%, and winds exceed 25 mph for a sustained period. During such conditions, the fire danger is significantly elevated, and residents are urged to exercise heightened caution.
Fire safety experts recommend several precautions during a red flag warning, including avoiding driving on dry grass, properly extinguishing all outdoor fires, and never leaving fires unattended. They also advise soaking ashes and charcoal in water before disposing of them in a metal container, as embers can reignite days later.
As the drought continues and brush fires remain a serious threat, New York City officials and firefighters are urging residents to be vigilant, stay informed about fire risks, and follow all fire safety guidelines to help prevent further fires.
