Mayor Adams bans grilling in parks amidst fire risk and historic draught

Following a two-alarm forest fire in Prospect Park last night and continued wildfires in New Jersey last week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams took additional measures to mitigate increased fire risk amidst a historic streak of dry weather in New York City and in the counties upstate that host New York City’s water reservoirs. Effective Nov 9, 2024, grilling has been banned in New York City parks while the city remains in drought conditions, while smoking and other sources of open flame remain illegal throughout the parks system. 

“As New York City’s historic streak of dry weather creates new safety risks, today, we are taking additional measures to keep New Yorkers safe,” said Mayor Adams. “Effective immediately, we are prohibiting grilling in our parks, and we need all New Yorkers to take common sense steps to prevent brush fires. Getting through this drought will take all of us working together, and every drop counts, so let’s keep doing our part to save as much water as we can.” 

Mayor Adams also issued additional reminders to New Yorkers of key steps to help prevent fires amidst dry conditions: 

• Fireworks remain illegal across New York City. 
• Take extra safety precautions when welding or undertaking other hot construction activities, particularly when near dry grass or leaves. 
• Smoking remains illegal on construction sites across the five boroughs. Additional information on construction site fire safety is available online. 
• Tapping streetlights for electricity (for things like holiday decorations) remains illegal, as it poses a large fire risk. 
• As fallen and bundled leaves can be a fire accelerant, New Yorkers should continue to set out yard waste on their recycling day for New York City Department of Sanitation pickup and call 311 to have the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) clear clogged catch basins. 
• New Yorkers should remove litter and any excessive brush or leaves from sidewalks abutting their residences and businesses. 
• New Yorkers sensitive to changes in air quality should continue to take appropriate precautions and check AirNow’s website for information on city air quality. 
• All New Yorkers should subscribe to Notify NYC for up-to-date information. 

“As drought conditions persist across our region, we call on all New Yorkers to stay vigilant and take essential precautions to safeguard our communities,” said Chief of Staff and New York City Extreme Weather Coordinator Camille Joseph Varlack. “Our administration is working tirelessly to monitor the evolving situation, issue updated guidance, and implement measures to protect New Yorkers during this prolonged dry period.”