Homeless Group Possible Cause to Prospect Park Fire

By Idy Perl

The record-breaking dry conditions in New York over the past month have increased the risk of wildfires, and several brush and wildfires cropped up around NYC and in surrounding areas over the weekend. 

The wooded area in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park caught fire this past Friday night, and around two acres got burned. Over 100 firefighters fought the blaze for several hours until they managed to get the fire under control. 

Law enforcement think that a group of homeless people living in the park might have caused the fire, which spread rapidly due to winds and the extremely dry conditions.

The FDNY has responded to several other brush fires in the past few weeks, and fire departments from surrounding areas have been battling several wildfires just over the New Jersey border as well.

At the beginning of November a drought watch was issued for NYC and residents were encouraged to conserve water. Although some rain did fall on Sunday, it seems we’re in for another dry spell as the National Weather Service predicts that there won’t be any more rain this week.