Brush fire breaks out at Alley Pond Park in Queens
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A brush fire broke out at Alley Pond Park in Queens Wednesday evening.
The fire was first reported around 6:45 p.m., according to the FDNY. Firefighters were still working to bring the fire under control as of 8:15 p.m.
"Expect smoke & traffic delays in the area. People nearby avoid smoke, close windows," said an alert from New York City Emergency Management.
Firefighters have responded to a spate of brush fires throughout New York City over the last two weeks.
Two brush fires broke out in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan Wednesday afternoon. A brush fire broke out near a golf course in Marine Park in Brooklyn Wednesday morning.
Two brush fires broke out in Highbridge Park in Manhattan on Tuesday.
A large brush fire broke out at Prospect Park in Brooklyn on Friday night.
Multiple brush fires broke out at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx early last week.
The recent brush fires underscore the severity of the dry conditions New York City is currently experiencing.
“Remarkably dry conditions in October and so far in November have resulted in a historic amount of brush fires over the last two weeks and we need the public to remain vigilant,” FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said. “Due to a significant lack of rainfall, the threat of fast spreading brush fires fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions pose a real threat to our members and our city."
Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.