The New York office for the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a red flag warning on Thursday, Nov. 7, for New York City residents of 5 to 15 mph winds, with gusts of up to 30 mph forecast for Friday, Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

NWS officials further warned of temperatures of up to 67 degrees which they said would increase the risk of brush fires. Brush fires have already been reported in Woodlawn and in Van Cortlandt Park in recent days and in the early hours of Nov. 8, dramatic scenes of wildfires reportedly in the vicinity of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, New Jersey were seen from The Bronx.

See attached photos taken in the early hours of Friday morning by Spuyten Duyvil resident, Stephanie Coggins.

 

The news also comes as a drought watch in New York City was declared by City officials on Nov. 2, as reported, City agencies are taking action to reduce water usage and protect water supplies, they said, as they urged residents to limit water usage during this dry season.

According to a socal media post dated Nov. 7 on the Citizens’ App, a wildfire ignited in New Jersey overnight in the vicinity of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, NJ and is sending smoke into The Bronx. According to the post, firefighters are gathered near Exit 1 on the Palisades Parkway with one lane closed.

It was further reported that there’s also a red flag warning in place in New Jersey until 6 p.m. due to ongoing dry, windy weather, and that fire crews are also tackling other fires in the state, including one in Jackson Township, which is reportedly about 60% contained.

For more information, visit http://weather.gov/okx. Multilingual & ASL Link: http://on.nyc.gov/2rARQ7C.