A brush fire broke out in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, on Friday night, during an ongoing drought affecting the northeastern U.S. The fire started around 8 p.m., prompting the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) to respond quickly. The FDNY later reported that they were using drones to identify areas with remaining hot spots.
At a press conference, FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker confirmed that while the fire was under control, some areas remained hotter than others. He added that firefighters would stay in the park throughout the night to ensure the fire was fully contained and prevent any flare-ups caused by embers carried by the wind.
The fire occurred in a dense, hilly area of the park, and there were no nearby structures at risk.
The cause of the fire in Prospect Park is still being investigated, and it has been reported that no one was injured. FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker noted that daylight would aid in identifying the fire’s origin and cause.
The fire underscores the heightened risks posed by the ongoing drought in the region. Officials also expressed gratitude to the person who spotted the fire and quickly alerted authorities.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams shared an update on X, confirming that his office was actively monitoring the situation. He also noted that the FDNY, NYC Emergency Management, and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation were on the scene coordinating the response.
This fire is part of a broader pattern of wildfires across the northeastern U.S., exacerbated by a weeks-long drought and unseasonably warm, dry weather. Similar fires have been reported in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, with windy conditions further raising the fire risk in the region.
The National Weather Service noted that temperatures soared above normal on Thursday, but a cooling trend was expected to begin late Friday, bringing temperatures back to more typical levels by Saturday.
The FDNY announced on Friday that New York City was placed under a drought watch due to a significant lack of rainfall.
October was one of the driest months on record in the U.S., particularly in the Northeast, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Cities like Philadelphia, Newark, Wilmington, and Norfolk experienced no rainfall that month, according to data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center, which tracks precipitation from over 1,400 weather stations across the country.
The entire New York City area was also under a red flag warning on Friday, with the National Weather Service forecasting wind gusts of up to 30 mph. Officials cautioned that the dry conditions could lead to rapid fire spread and urged people to avoid any outdoor burning.
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services warned that a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation would greatly increase the risk of fire spreading quickly.
On Friday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged residents to remain alert and to immediately call 911 if they spot a fire. In a post on X, he emphasized that any fire that ignites could spread rapidly under the current conditions.
Prospect Park, which spans 526 acres from Park Slope and Prospect Heights to Windsor Terrace and Flatbush, is a key part of the city’s green space. It features amenities such as a zoo and skating rink, and is known for its iconic Grand Army Plaza and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at the park’s northern entrance.
Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue described the park as a vital community resource and an essential urban forest. “It’s the oldest standing forest in Brooklyn and a crucial asset to the neighborhood,” she said at a press conference, calling it “the lungs of the city.”
