Ahead of Independence Day, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a fire danger warning on Wednesday morning. This follows days of storms capping off an extended dry period while adding another layer to the widespread fireworks problem in the area.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos says that, in spite of sometimes torrential rain, enduring dry conditions during Independence Day fireworks displays will represent an increased fire hazard over the holiday weekend.
“The majority of lands across the state remain very dry,” Seggos says. “Remember that, in addition to being dangerous and in some cases illegal, fireworks can start wildfires.”
There are three active wildfires in New York on Wednesday: one in St. Lawrence County, another in Herkimer County, and the third in Tompkins County. These fires are burning as much as 11 acres of land, requiring a pump operation that uses huge volumes of water.