By Daniel Afanasyev
Several brushfires broke out across Brooklyn over the weekend, the latest effects of an abnormally long stretch of dry weather affecting the Northeastern United States.
Friday night, a brushfire erupted in Prospect Park near the Nethermead meadow covering approximately two acres before being put out by over 100 members of the FDNY several hours later, according to Chief Joseph Duggan, Brooklyn Borough Commander, Fire Department at a press conference.
“[Prospect Park] is the oldest standing forest in Brooklyn, an incredible asset to the community, to the lungs of the city, so the care and rapid response was so critical here, and we are so pleased and appreciate that FDNY is going to be here through the night to make sure this fire is contained and make sure that our forest is safe,” said Department of Parks and Recreation commissioner Sue Donoghue.
Saturday afternoon FDNY responded to two separate brushfires in Marine Park, and extinguished them shortly afterwards, News 12 reported. The cause of both the Prospect and Marine Park brushfires remains under investigation.
Since Nov. 2, the NYC area has been under a drought watch issued by Mayor Eric Adams. With the dry weather, and the increased chance for brushfires expected to continue for sometime, NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol called on New Yorkers to report fires when they see them, and to continue conserving water. In light of the recent blazes, Mayor Eric Adams banned grilling in NYC parks on Saturday.
“As New York City’s historic streak of dry weather creates new safety risks, today, we are taking additional measures to keep New Yorkers safe,” the mayor said in a press release.
While the fires were an uncommon sight for the borough, the Tri-state area has experienced a significant uptick in wildfires, especially New Jersey, which is currently battling fires covering thousands of acres across the state, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. On Saturday, an 18-year-old NY state parks employee succumbed to his injuries while battling one of the wildfires along the NY-NJ border, NY Daily News reported.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of our New York State Parks employees while responding to a wildfire in Orange County yesterday […] Our State employees are working around the clock to protect our communities and we are keeping them close in our thoughts as they put their lives on the line to stop the spread of these wildfires,” NY Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement Sunday.
To city officials, the brushfires are part of a larger trend of extreme weather continuing to unfold. New Yorkers should be prepared for the changes as well as do their part to prevent more of the fires.
“This is the new normal of extreme weather,” Iscol said at a press conference with Mayor Adams on Friday. “It’s not something that we’re expecting, but it’s something that we all need to be prepared for. So look forward to and appreciate all New Yorkers doing their part.”