Heres how to protect your property as unprecedented drought hits Northeast

A severe drought watch with no rain in sight has gripped the Northeastern U.S., creating “unprecedented” conditions for fire, say experts.Due to the driest fall on record, hundreds of brushfires have erupted from Virginia to Maine, including one that burned 2 acres in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.Fires disrupted Amtrak service between Boston and New York, and a parks employee died while fighting a brushfire on the border of New York and New Jersey.High winds, low humidity, and plenty of dry leaves on the ground have created perfect kindling conditions, even in places not normally thought of as at risk for wildfires.

While other parts of the country, including California, are also experiencing wildfires, they tend to be more prepared.It took 100 firefighters over three hours to subdue the flames, leaving behind 2 acres of scorched earth in Brooklyn’s only natural forest.The Fire Department of New York said on X that it has responded to 229 brushfires since October 29, the highest amount in a two-week period in New York City history.“Remarkably dry conditions in October and so far in November have resulted in a historic amount of brush fires over the last two weeks and we need the public to remain vigilant,” said FDNY Commissioner Robert S.Tucker.Mayor Eric Adams has put New York City under a red flag drought watch, banned grilling in the park, and urged New Yorkers to conserve water.

The FDNY has not yet issued an official cause of the fire.The day after the fire, onlookers snapped photos of a burned encampment within the site of the fire that included a microwave and grill, according to Slate.But the city says the weather is to blame: “At the end of the day, what is really causing these fires is the dry conditions,” New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol told the outlet.If city dwellers are at risk, then those living in more rural areas with more vegetation face an even higher risk.How can property owners protect ...