Many New Yorkers awoke last Saturday morning to the smell of smoke after a fire broke out in Prospect Park on Friday evening, shortly after the New York National Weather Service declared NYC under a red flag warning for increased risk of brush fire.
New York has since issued a statewide Burn Ban, after another fire erupted in Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park, effective through November 30th. Until the Burn Ban is lifted, no one in New York State can start an outdoor fire to dispose of brush and debris, have a camp fire or use for the purpose of cooking.
The Inwood fire apparently started in the afternoon on Wednesday around 2:30pm when smoke and flames were first reported, according to CBS. Though the FDNY was able to put out the fire, flames reemerged in the park overnight around 2am on Thursday. Firefighters were again able to put out the fire, but not without “treacherous conditions” that posed as “extremely dangerous” for the firefighters, remarked Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker.
Terrain, elevation and water resources posed as great challenges in conquering the brush fire. 150 feet of hose lines had to be spread across a hill, taking water from the Harlem River, to extinguish numerous fires on park grounds. Drones were utilized to identify hot spots, and aid the 140 firefighters and EMS personnel on the premise. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
“Very grateful to the Parks department, to Emergency Management and all of our partners throughout city government who are helping FDNY deal with an unusual amount of fires in our parks in the last few weeks,” said Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker. In fact, the past two weeks have shown a record-breaking number of brush fires across NYC.
When there are these brush fires, New Yorkers are recommended to keep their windows closed and avoid the impacted areas.