ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is warning residents about increased wildfire risks as warm, dry weather persists across the state.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton is urging New Yorkers to be especially careful with any outdoor burning, saying fire danger levels remain high or moderate across nearly every region.
“Much of New York is abnormally dry and fire risk is either high or moderate for the entire state, so it’s absolutely essential New Yorkers are mindful of the risk when doing any kind of residential outdoor burning,” Lefton said in a statement. “Campers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts should avoid building campfires outside of established fire rings or pits to not only keep themselves safe, but also our Forest Rangers who respond to fires that start burning out of control.”
According to DEC, conditions are expected to remain elevated through the month of September and could continue into October, with dry foliage adding to the danger. Since Aug. 1, state Forest Rangers have responded to 53 wildfires that burned nearly 26 acres. Roughly half of those fires were linked to campfires that escaped containment or weren’t fully extinguished.
Local officials are also taking steps to reduce the risk. Several towns in the Catskills and Hudson Valley have already enacted temporary burn bans, restricting open fires until conditions improve. Residents are urged to check with their municipalities before burning brush or using outdoor fire pits.
Known burn bans are in effect in towns including Hunter, Cairo. and Shandaken.
The agency is reminding New Yorkers of key wildfire prevention steps, including completely dousing campfires with water until ashes are cool to the touch, never discarding cigarette butts or ashes on vegetation, and ensuring vehicles and power equipment don’t ignite dry brush.
DEC officials stress that unattended campfires can smolder underground for days and later erupt into fast-moving wildfires. Anyone who spots a forest fire is urged to call 911 immediately and report its location. Unattended campfires on DEC lands should be reported to Forest Ranger Dispatch at 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.