A large brush fire broke out Friday evening, mobilizing more than 100 firefighters, in a park in southern New York, affected by a severe drought, local authorities said Saturday.
A firefighter was slightly injured and taken to a nearby hospital. This fire, which started in Brooklyn in the Prospect Park district, was considered under control on Saturday. The fire, which did not cause any immediate material damage, ignited an area “the size of about two football fields”, detailed the New York firefighters.
Although the immediate cause of the fire was not yet known, “the current conditions are perfect for brush fires, with extremely dry vegetation and strong gusts of wind”, confirmed the authorities during a press briefing. .
City Mayor Eric Adams issued a warning about X: “After the driest October on record, New York City is on drought alert, increasing the risk of fires.” Authorities asked residents to stay away from the area and keep their windows closed.
Hundreds of brush fires have broken out in US east coast states like New Jersey and Connecticut in recent weeks. The drought is expected to continue until the end of the year in the region, which is currently experiencing its second longest rainless period in history, according to local media.
