New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced stringent measures to mitigate the elevated fire risk amid a historic drought.

Effective immediately, grilling is banned in all New York City parks as the city grapples with severe dry conditions impacting its water reservoirs.

“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,” stated Mayor Adams.

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“Effective immediately, we are prohibiting grilling in our parks, and we need all New Yorkers to take commonsense 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.”

The directive comes with additional precautions aimed at preventing fires and conserving water: Fireworks remain illegal throughout New York City. Extra safety measures should be undertaken during welding or other hot construction activities near dry grass or leaves.

Smoking is banned on construction sites citywide, with further fire safety information available online. Tapping streetlights for electricity, particularly for holiday decorations, remains illegal due to fire hazards. Residents are urged to clear litter and excessive brush from sidewalks and to place yard waste for collection by the New York City Department of Sanitation. Individuals sensitive to air quality changes are advised to stay informed via AirNow’s website. .

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“As drought conditions persist across our region, we call on all New Yorkers to stay vigilant and take essential precautions to safeguard our communities,” emphasized Camille Joseph Varlack, Chief of Staff and New York City Extreme Weather Coordinator.

Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi highlighted the urgency: “This fall, New York City is officially a dry town. Last night’s fire in Brooklyn’s backyard, Prospect Park, is a stark reminder of the dangers of this drought. We are urging New Yorkers to do their part: do not litter, do not smoke or grill in parks, call 311 if you see open fire hydrants or illegally tapped streetlights, and put dry leaves in your curbside composting pick up. Continue to conserve water as we are still in a drought watch.”

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker cautioned, “We’re asking all New Yorkers to be especially careful with any activities that might lead to a fire. A small mistake can cause serious damage. Please be cautious, be vigilant, and help protect our parks and communities.”

The city’s leadership is actively addressing the crisis, with Fire Department Commissioner Robert Tucker urging residents to avoid outdoor burning and be mindful of fire safety.

“New York City has seen historic numbers of brush fires due to the unusually dry season we are having,” said Tucker. Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol highlighted the multifaceted challenges: “Our city is currently experiencing a combination of environmental concerns that require everyone’s attention and cooperation. Wildfire smoke from New Jersey is impacting our air quality. Dry conditions and high winds have elevated the risk of fire within the city, and a drought watch is in effect because of lower-than-normal water reservoir levels.”

Mayor Adams further encouraged water conservation, offering practical tips such as reporting open hydrants to 311, reducing toilet flushes, taking shorter showers, and fixing leaks.

“All New Yorkers can help; the added pressure on our water supply introduced by wildfires makes it even more critical that every New Yorker takes concrete steps to reduce their water consumption and help stop preventable fires,” added Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. With the city’s emergency services on high alert, the call for collective responsibility and vigilance is clear.

“Protecting New Yorkers — along with our vital natural areas and greenspaces — is of utmost importance, which is why the city is taking steps to reduce the chance of brush fires during this period of severe dry conditions,” emphasized Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue.