US Northeast dealing with hundreds of bushfires in windy conditions

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Firefighters in New York said on November 17 that a voluntary evacuation overnight helped them protect more than 160 homes from a stubborn wildfire near the New Jersey border.

Officials in much of the Northeast were also dealing with hundreds of brush fires in tinder-dry and windy conditions.

Communities in New England faced a notable increase in late fall wildfires, with much of the Northeast under red flag alerts over the weekend. Meanwhile, California reported significant progress in containing the Mountain Fire in Ventura County. Spanning 32 square miles, the fire had destroyed over 245 structures, primarily homes, and was 95 percent contained.

Windy conditions reignited a wildfire in Warwick, New York, near the New Jersey border on November 16, breaching containment lines and prompting a voluntary evacuation plan for approximately 165 homes.

The fire, which scorched 7.5 square miles across New York and New Jersey, primarily affected Sterling Forest State Park in New York. While key areas such as the visitor center, Greenwood Lake's lakefront, and a historic furnace site remained open, woodland activities, including hunting, were suspended.

Officials reported the blaze was 90 percent contained in Passaic County, New Jersey, and 88 percent in Orange County, New York, where a state of emergency was extended. Helicopters from the New York Army National Guard and state police provided aerial water drops to aid ground crews. Tragically, an 18-year-old New York parks employee died on November 9 after being struck by a falling tree while assisting firefighting efforts. The fire's cause remains under investigation.

In response to an unprecedented rise in brush fires across New York City, the Fire Department (FDNY) announced the formation of its first-ever brush fire task force. From November 1 to November 14, the FDNY responded to 271 brush fires, the highest number recorded in a two-week period. The task force, comprising fire marshals, inspectors, and tactical drone units, aims to ensure swift responses and thorough investigations.

Massachusetts has also seen an alarming increase in wildland fires, with about 200 reported this October, compared to a typical average of 15. State officials anticipate more fires due to gusty winds and dry conditions. The National Weather Service in Boston warned that southern New England faces elevated fire risks, with gusty winds and dry conditions persisting.

In Connecticut, a section of Interstate 84 in Plainville temporarily closed due to a brush fire, and a volunteer firefighter in Haddam was injured while battling a blaze caused by downed power lines. The firefighter was treated at a hospital and released.

In southern New Hampshire and Maine, fire danger levels remain high, with much of the region experiencing abnormal dryness or moderate drought conditions. Relief is on the horizon for parts of New York, where forecasters predict 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain beginning the night of November 20, potentially easing fire risks.