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Q&A
Increase in brush fires and firefighting challenges in NYC parks
1:58:11
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83 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola asks about factors contributing to the severe increase in brush fires from 2023 to 2024. Commissioner Robert Tucker explains the challenges and FDNY's response to these incidents.
- Extremely dry conditions were identified as the primary factor contributing to the increase in brush fires.
- Unique locations for brush fires were noted, including Prospect Park and Inwood Park.
- The FDNY faced challenges in accessing water sources in some park areas, requiring innovative solutions such as using fire boats to draft water from the Hudson River.
- Tucker emphasizes that the prolonged dry period was the most significant contributor to the increase in brush fires.
Joann Ariola
1:58:11
That's good to know.
1:58:13
I want to go back to the wildfires because they seem to have spiked.
1:58:18
So do you have any factors that you think contributed to this severe increase in brushfires for the same period from 2023 to '24?
Robert Tucker
1:58:27
I mean it was incredibly dry during that period of time.
1:58:32
We did see some brush fires in some very unique locations like right in the middle of Prospect Park.
1:58:41
I was at that fire.
1:58:42
We had a very significant brush fire in Inwood Park in Northern Manhattan where we had some very unique water problems.
1:58:53
There are no hydrants right in the middle of these thick forests if you will.
1:59:02
In Inwood we brought one of our large fire boats up the Hudson River and drafted water from the Hudson River into Inwood Park.
1:59:10
It's pretty unique.
1:59:11
I mean we have the capability of doing that but it was a challenge.
1:59:21
I think that the most significant contributor to the brush fires was how dry it was for such a long period of time.
Joann Ariola
1:59:30
Mhmm.
1:59:31
I agree.
1:59:32
Okay.
1:59:32
I now yield to council member Mamorato.