Firefighters in New York successfully protected approximately 165 homes near the New Jersey border from a wildfire thanks to a voluntary evacuation overnight. However, the New York City Fire Department has established a brush fire task force in response to a significant increase in brush fires across the five boroughs. From Nov. 1 to Nov. 14, the FDNY responded to 271 brush fires, marking a historic high for the city.
The surge in brush fires is attributed to a lack of rainfall, dry vegetation, and windy conditions, creating a heightened risk of fast-spreading fires. Windy conditions reignited a wildfire near the New York-New Jersey border, prompting emergency officials to implement a voluntary evacuation plan for a community in Warwick, New York.
Communities in the Northeast and beyond are grappling with a rise in late fall fires. New England states are under red flag alerts, while California, North Carolina, and West Virginia are also facing concerning fire situations.
The newly formed NYC task force comprises fire marshals, inspectors, and tactical drone units to ensure swift responses to brush fires and aid in investigations to determine their origins.
Efforts to contain the wildfire on the New Jersey side of the border were 90% successful, with a 70% containment rate on the New York side. The fire has burned 7.5 square miles across both states. Helicopters have dropped thousands of gallons of water to combat the blaze.
The fire primarily affects Sterling Forest State Park, leading to the closure of woodland activities. Tragically, an 18-year-old parks employee lost his life during firefighting efforts. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Massachusetts has seen a significant increase in wildfires this year, with the National Weather Service warning of elevated fire risks in southern New England. Southern New Hampshire and parts of Maine are also facing high fire danger due to dry conditions.
Relief may be on the horizon as the National Weather Service predicts widespread rain of 0.5 to 1.5 inches for most of the region starting Wednesday night.
