FDNY's New Task Force Will Battle Record Rise In NYC Brush Fires

NEW YORK CITY — The FDNY announced it is launching a new task force aimed at tackling wildfires in the city.

The department's Brush Fire Task Force will be made up of fire marshals and inspectors and will utilize tactical drone units, FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said on Sunday.

The announcement comes after the FDNY responded to 271 brush fires — the highest amount in a two-week period in city history, from Nov. 1 to 14.

"Due to a significant lack of rainfall, the threat of fast-spreading brush fires fueled by dry vegetation and windy conditions have resulted in an historic increase of brush fires throughout New York City," Tucker said in a statement. "By creating this task force, we are taking real action to prevent brush fires from occurring, putting protocols in place to keep our members safe while they are in the field, and working to identify the causes of these fires after they happen to keep New Yorkers safe in the future."

Last week, firefighters battled a brush fire in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan, Patch previously reported.

On Nov. 8, firefighters battled a two-alarm brush fire at Prospect Park in Brooklyn.