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

 

On Friday, officials extended the warning to Saturday, Nov. 9, until 6 p.m., saying critical fire weather conditions are expected or occurring. They said a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will create a significantly elevated fire growth potential in New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley, and Long Island, caused by northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, and relative humidity of as low as 25 percent during the daylight hours.

They said temperatures will range from the mid 30s to the lower 40s overnight on Friday and lower to the mid 50s on Saturday. No lightening is expected. They said any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly adding outdoor burning is not recommended.

 

On Thursday, NWS officials 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.

During this time period, since fires will spread easily and wind can spread the fire faster, officials recommend the following tips:

• Keep leaves, debris, or flammable materials at least 30 feet away from your home.
• Close doors and windows. Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air.
• If local officials tell you to leave, leave immediately.
• Pay attention to emergency alerts for information and instructions.
• Safety tips: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/wildfire-safety-tips and https://www.ready.gov/wildfires

The news 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. 8 on the Citizens’ App, a wildfire ignited in New Jersey overnight in the vicinity of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, NJ which was sending smoke into The Bronx. According to the post, firefighters were gathered near Exit 1 on the Palisades Parkway with one lane closed.

It was further reported that there was also a red flag warning in place in New Jersey until [at least] 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, due to ongoing dry, windy weather, and that fire crews were also tackling other fires in the state, including one in Jackson Township, which was reportedly about 60% contained.

Later on Friday, brush fires were reported in the Highbridge section of The Bronx and also in Prospect Park in Brooklyn by the FDNY. Regarding the Highbridge Park brush fire, City officals wrote, “Expect smoke & traffic delays in the area. People nearby should avoid smoke and close windows. Multilingual & ASL Link: http://on.nyc.gov/1kdbhe2“

Th FDNY later reported that they received a call at 9.18 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, for a report of a brush fire at West 167th Street by Sedgwick Avenue in Highbridge between Sedgwick Avenue and University Avenue in the park.

 

FDNY officials said four units comprising 25 firefighters extinguished the fire in two and a half hours.

More brush fires were reported in Queens and Manhattan.

City officials also reported power outages on Staten Island on Friday night potentially due to the high winds, and separately, NYC Transit reported at around 10 p.m. on Friday night that the 5 train is suspended in both directions between East 180th Street and Pelham Parkway while a tree is being removed from the track at East Gun Hill Road station. Travelers are asked to take the 2  train instead. For service between Pelham Parkway and Eastchester-Dyre Avenue, take a Bx30 bus.

As subsequently reported, on Saturday, Nov. 9, the mayor later banned grilling in public parks as more brush fires broke out across the City, including one in Van Cortlandt Park.

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