Following a brush fire in Prospect Park over the weekend, the city of New York has decided to ban grilling in public parks. This decision comes as the city is facing drought conditions due to a lack of rainfall during a historic dry spell.
Mayor Eric Adams released a statement on Saturday, announcing the immediate prohibition of grilling in parks and urging all New Yorkers to take precautions to prevent brush fires. The city is taking measures to avoid water shortages and fires resulting from the ongoing drought.
The dry spell, which has lasted for over a month, has led to weather conditions more commonly seen on the west coast, such as brush fires. The fire in Prospect Park damaged two acres of wooded area near the Prospect Park Boathouse, causing minor injuries to one firefighter.
Tragically, in Orange County, an 18-year-old state parks worker lost his life while battling a fire in the Sterling Forest near the New Jersey border. Smoke from these wildfires has affected air quality in the New York Metropolitan Area, prompting the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation to issue an air quality health advisory for the city.
Mayor Adams had previously declared a citywide “drought watch” and encouraged residents to conserve water following an extremely dry October. It is crucial for New Yorkers to work together to save water and prevent further incidents like the recent wildfires.
As the city continues to experience drought conditions, it is essential for everyone to be mindful of their water usage and take steps to prevent fires. The ban on park grilling is just one of the many efforts being made to mitigate the impact of the dry spell on the city and its residents. Let us all do our part to save water and protect our parks and communities during this challenging time.
