A significant brush fire erupted in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Friday night and drew in nearly 100 firefighters who battled the blaze into the evening. The first reports of the fire came in around 6:40 p.m. within the Nethermead area of the park, spreading rapidly across dry, wooded terrain and fueled by strong winds. Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker admitted frustration, lamenting, “Every time the wind gusts up, we get an ember that creates more fire. This is going to be a long night.”.
The cause of the fire was not determined, but experts said they would do a survey on the area once the flames died out. There have been no reports of injuries, and the New York City Fire Department ordered the residents to evacuate the park, close all windows, and minimize their exposure to smoke.
While battling the fire, New York City Mayor Eric Adams informed residents that there was a Red Flag Warning. This cautioned New Yorkers to be on the lookout, as the dry season was so dry and the chances of a fire flaring quickly very high. On social media, he thanked a passerby who reported the fire, and officials were able to move fast to respond to it. Along with that, some specialized units like brush fire teams and drones are sent out in an attempt to locate the hot spots within that area.
Lately, New York City has witnessed a spate of brush fires, which have been attributed to dry weather that residents think is unseasonable. New York City only received 0.81 inches of rain during October, which was one of the driest months in the history of the city. City officials have called on the residents to reduce the amount of water used and, generally, be more vigilant in terms of fire hazards as long as the drought continues.
Other fires occurred across New Jersey, one of which was located within the Palisades Interstate Parkway, creating smoke that could be seen across parts of Manhattan.
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