### Drought Ignites Wildfire in Brooklyn's Prospect Park

A severe drought continues to grip the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, culminating in a significant fire outbreak on Friday in Brooklyn’s iconic Prospect Park. The blaze ravaged around two acres within an area called the Ravine, according to the Brooklyn Park Alliance.

On Friday evening, flames were visible piercing through the park’s dense woodland, alerting passersby. At approximately 6:40 p.m., a concerned individual reported the sight of smoke, prompting a response from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Commissioner Robert Tucker emphasized that the extremely dry vegetation and strong winds exacerbated the two-alarm fire, which was located in a hilly, brush-filled section of the park that was challenging for firefighters to access. Firefighters worked diligently, extinguishing the flames about three hours later and stayed overnight to monitor any lingering hotspots. The fire's origin remains under investigation as of Saturday morning.

Despite the intense fire, there was no structural damage within the 526-acre park, a cherished refuge in Brooklyn known for its diverse attractions like a zoo, carousel, and numerous recreational facilities. However, the carousel was closed on Saturday due to poor air quality, and visitors were cautioned about potential hazards.

Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the unusual conditions for New York City, noting, "It's 70 degrees in November, and Prospect Park is burning." The city is currently under a drought watch due to the driest October on record, heightening fire risks. Residents in the metropolitan area were also advised of potential smoke from wildfires near the New York and New Jersey border.

Additionally, NorthJersey.com reported that fires in New Jersey posed threats to numerous structures and scorched hundreds of acres, including areas up to a highway in Pompton Lakes, northwest of New York City. Consequently, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality advisory warning sensitive groups about unhealthy particulate matter levels.

Red flag warnings were in place across the New York metropolitan area, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The National Weather Service cautioned about strong winds, low humidity, and dry conditions contributing to the heightened wildfire risk. Massachusetts faced unhealthy air quality due to wildfires north of Boston, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow indices.

A Special Weather Statement spanning from Washington, D.C., to New England warned residents about elevated wildfire risks, urging caution with potential ignition sources like machinery, cigarettes, or matches. The statement emphasized that existing weather and fuel conditions could easily cause fires to escalate and become uncontrollable.