Syracuse, NY (NCC News)— Wildfires may be a familiar sight if you are a resident of the West Coast, but now it’s danger has arrived in New York and New Jersey.
The Two states have been hit with devastating wildfire that has already killed one firefighter, who was only 18 years old. The FDNY Commissioner, Robert Tucker, announced on Monday they were launching their first-ever Brush Fire Task Force to address the surge in brush fires fueled by historically dry conditions.
“We have started a task force, to have highly specialized fire marshals, fire inspectors and firefighters not only working with the city agencies behind us, but also working with our state and federal colleagues at the U.S. Fire Administration to share best practices,” said Tucker.
From Syracuse to New York City dangerously dry conditions are persisting as a dry winter has also been projected during this drought. Onondaga County remains in the abnormally dry category while 15 counties throughout New York State are considered a severe to moderate drought.
Most recently, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park experienced a brush fire in which 100 firefighters were called to the scene, leaving two acres scorched.
For Maia Lopez, a Brooklyn native and a senior at Syracuse University, she was concerned about what the fire meant for her family and her cherished memories at the park, especially while away from home.
“As soon as I heard, I called my parents just to kind of confirm because I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t heard it,” Lopez said. “I was like, what is going on? How is that even possible? And my dad explained to me that they haven’t had rain there in like a month and a half or so.”
There are calls of concern as according to city officials, the New York City reservoirs are at about 60% capacity as of Monday, which is well below their average 79% capacity for this time of the season.
Another marker for the history books as for New York City this is the first time in 22 years they have had to issue a drought warning. While for New Jersey, October penciled in as the driest month since 1895.
Video transcript
VO: This may be a familiar sight if you are a resident of the west coast, but this is New York and New Jersey. The Two states have been hit with devastating wildfire that has already killed one firefighter, who was only 18 years old. The FDNY announced it was launching its first-ever Brush Fire Task Force to address the surge in brush fires fueled by historically dry conditions.
SOT: “we have started a task force, to have highly specialized fire marshals, fire inspectors and firefighters not only working with the city agencies behind us, but also working with our state and federal colleagues at the U.S. Fire Administration to share best practices
STAND UP: From Syracuse to New York City dangerously dry conditions are persisting as a dry winter has also been projected during this drought. Onondaga County remains in the abnormally dry category while 15 counties are considered a severe to moderate drought.
VO: Most recently, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park experienced a brush fire in which 100 firefighters were called to the scene. For Maia Lopez, A Brooklyn native and a senior at Syracuse University, she was concerned about what the fire meant for her family and her cherished memories at the park.
Maia SOT: “As soon as I heard, I called my parents just to kind of confirm because I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t heard it. I was like, what is going on? How is that even possible? And my dad explained to me that they haven’t had rain there in like a month and a half or so.”
FS VO: There are calls of concern as according to city officials, the New York City reservoirs are at about 60% capacity as of Monday, which is well below their average 79% capacity for this time of the season. As for the history books, for New York City this is the first time in 22 years they have had to issue a drought warning. While for New Jersey, October penciled in as the driest month since 1895. For N-C-C News, I’m Mandi Shovlin.