Adams bans grilling in parks amid elevated fire risk, historic drought

Following a two-alarm forest fire in Prospect Park Friday night and continued wildfires in New Jersey on Saturday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Saturday took additional measures to mitigate increased fire risk amidst a historic streak of dry weather in New York City and in the counties upstate that host New York City’s water reservoirs.

Effective Saturday, Adams said grilling will be banned in New York City parks while the city remains in drought conditions, while smoking and other sources of open flame remain illegal throughout the parks system.

“As New York City’s historic streak of dry weather creates new safety risks, today, we are taking additional measures to keep New Yorkers safe,” said Mayor Adams. “Effective immediately, we are prohibiting grilling in our parks, and we need all New Yorkers to take commonsense steps to prevent brush fires.

“Getting through this drought will take all of us working together, and every drop counts, so let’s keep doing our part to save as much water as we can,” he added.

Mayor Adams also issued additional reminders to New Yorkers of key steps to help prevent fires amidst dry conditions: Fireworks remain illegal across New York City – take extra safety precautions when welding or undertaking other hot construction activities, particularly when near dry grass or leaves; smoking remains illegal on construction sites across the five boroughs; and tapping streetlights for electricity (for things like holiday decorations) remains illegal, as it poses a large fire risk.

As fallen and bundled leaves can be a fire accelerant, Adams urged New Yorkers to continue to set out yard waste on their recycling day for New York City Department of Sanitation pickup and call 311 to have the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) clear clogged catch basins.

He said New Yorkers should remove litter and any excessive brush or leaves from sidewalks abutting their residences and businesses.

The mayor said New Yorkers sensitive to changes in air quality should continue to take appropriate precautions and check AirNow’s website for information on city air quality.

“As drought conditions persist across our region, we call on all New Yorkers to stay vigilant and take essential precautions to safeguard our communities,” said Chief of Staff and New York City Extreme Weather Coordinator Camille Joseph Varlack. “Our administration is working tirelessly to monitor the evolving situation, issue updated guidance, and implement measures to protect New Yorkers during this prolonged dry period.”

“New York City has seen historic numbers of brush fires due to the unusually dry season we are having,” said Fire Department of the City of New York Commissioner Robert Tucker. “We urge all residents to avoid outdoor burning, be mindful of smoking and properly dispose of cigarette butts and matches, and to stay on designated trails in parks.

“Additional precautions should be taken when conducting activities such as welding near dry grass and weeds,” he added. “We all need to do our part to conserve water. And, as always, if you see a fire or smoke, report it immediately by calling 911.”

“Our city is currently experiencing a combination of environmental concerns that require everyone’s attention and cooperation,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Wildfire smoke from New Jersey is impacting our air quality. Dry conditions and high winds have elevated the risk of fire within the city, and a drought watch is in effect because of lower-than-normal water reservoir levels.

“This administration is responding actively and prepared to deploy any resources needed,” he added. “Report any signs of smoke or fire immediately by dialing 911; conserve water and follow the city’s guidelines; check in on your neighbors, particularly those who may be vulnerable; and, of course, subscribe to Notify NYC for emergency alerts. We all have a part to play in keeping our city safe.”

“This fall’s historic drought and unseasonably warm temperatures are showing us risks of climate change that New Yorkers are not used to seeing, but that we’re well-prepared and well-equipped to confront,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Whether it’s helping agencies and individuals conserve water, improving our leak detection efforts, or helping to fight upstate wildfires that pose a threat to our water supply, DEP is laser-focused on managing this drought on multiple fronts.

“All New Yorkers can help; the added pressure on our water supply introduced by wildfires makes it even more critical that every New Yorker takes concrete steps to reduce their water consumption and help stop preventable fires,” he added.

“Protecting New Yorkers — along with our vital natural areas and greenspaces — is of utmost importance, which is why the city is taking steps to reduce the chance of brush fires during this period of severe dry conditions,” said New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “During this drought watch, barbecuing in public parks will be prohibited, and we remind everyone that smoking or open flames are never permitted in our parks and gardens. We encourage all New Yorkers to do their part to prevent fires.”

Adams’ issuance of a drought watch is the first of three levels of water conservation declarations by the city.

As conditions continue to evolve, Adams said the city may need to declare a drought warning or, subsequently, a drought emergency, which involve escalating requirements to reduce water usage at city agencies and on New Yorkers.