### Wildfires and Drought Conditions Plague New York and New Jersey

New York City woke up to the harsh smell of smoke on Saturday, as wildfires raged in the surrounding region, casting a haze over the skyline. One of the new fires ignited early in the morning near the northern New York-New Jersey border, straining local and state firefighting resources.

In Pompton Lakes, Passaic County, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service responded to a blaze that had consumed 100 acres by midday, putting 55 structures at risk. The uncontained fire was exacerbated by strong, gusty winds, which hampered firefighting efforts despite the chilling temperatures that trapped smoke close to the ground. State officials issued air quality warnings, advising sensitive individuals to stay indoors.

The Forest Fire Service deployed a helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water to combat the flames. Another significant fire in Passaic County burned through 1,800 acres, endangering 10 structures and remaining 0% contained. Meanwhile, a 39-acre fire near the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Bergen County was 40% contained by midday.

Elsewhere in New Jersey, fires that began in Jackson Township and Burlington and Camden Counties earlier in the week were under control at about 90% containment. However, crews continued to manage hotspots and monitor the area until substantial rainfall could stabilize the situation.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection noted that the smoke would persist until significant rain arrived. The National Weather Service forecasted up to a quarter inch of rain on Sunday night, which is insufficient to alleviate the ongoing drought, as some parts of New Jersey hadn’t seen measurable rain for over 40 days.

Moreover, New York City was placed under drought watch following the driest October on record, receiving less than an inch of rain compared to the average of about four inches. The drought watch extends to New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well.

In Brooklyn's Prospect Park, over 100 firefighters tackled a two-acre wildfire that broke out Friday night. The fire, which took several hours to extinguish, is still under investigation by the FDNY. Mayor Adams highlighted the unusual circumstances in a social media post, citing the high risk of fires following the exceptionally dry October.

The week has been particularly harsh for all five boroughs, with multiple fires reported across the city. Staten Island saw six fires since Tuesday, including in Clove Lakes Park and Brookfield Park. A brush fire in Van Cortlandt Park prompted the FDNY to dispatch 12 units and 60 personnel to control the blaze near the Major Deegan Expressway.

With wind gusts reaching up to 30 mph, a Red Flag Warning was issued for the city, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley, indicating heightened fire danger. Upstate New York also battled significant fires in Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange counties. The Whitehouse Fire, spanning 300 to 400 acres, is expected to spread further, according to Governor Hochul's office. State personnel have also been dispatched to monitor fire activities on Long Island.