New York, NY — A combination of gusty winds and low humidity will bring an increased risk of wildfire spread across New York City, Long Island, and northeastern New Jersey throughout Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in New York, the alert is in effect from early Thursday morning through 8 p.m., with relative humidity levels expected to drop between 20% and 30%. Winds are forecast to gust between 20 to 25 mph, which could cause any small fire to spread rapidly across dry brush or wooded areas.
Counties impacted include Richmond (Staten Island), Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam in New York, as well as Hudson, Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Union in New Jersey.
Officials urge residents to use extreme caution with ignition sources, including outdoor grills, cigarettes, and machinery. Any fire that starts may become uncontrollable in a short time, especially in grassy or forested areas.
This alert was coordinated with state fire and land management agencies, factoring in current land dryness, wind, and fuel conditions.
Residents are advised to delay open burning, properly dispose of smoking materials, and avoid activities that could spark flames until conditions improve Thursday night.
