FDNY creates task force amid record number of brush fires in NYC

NEW YORK (PIX11) — The significant increase in brush fires in New York City has led the FDNY to establish its first Brush Fire Task Force.

The task force consists of fire marshals, fire inspectors, and tactical drone units. It will investigate the causes and origins of every fire and provide recommendations on how to prevent future incidents.

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"Due to a significant lack of rainfall, the threat of fast-spreading brush fires fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions have resulted in a historic increase of brush fires throughout New York City," said FDNY Commissioner Tucker. "By creating this task force, we are taking real action to prevent brush fires from occurring, putting protocols in place to keep our members safe while they are in the field, and working to identify the causes of these fires after they happen to keep New Yorkers safe in the future. I also want to urge New Yorkers to follow our important safety tips and help us reduce the chances of a brush fire occurring."

In the first two weeks of November, the FDNY responded to 271 brush fires, the highest in two weeks in New York City history.

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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, Nov. 8.

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here .