Air quality alerts remained in effect Sunday in the New York City area as firefighters continued battling multiple wildfires in New York and New Jersey amid dry conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As of Sunday morning, New York City’s Office of Emergency Management said the Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 105, which they said indicates being “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” The AQI in some monitors had reached 201 a day earlier, indicating “very unhealthy” air quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Red flag warnings remain active as of Sunday in New York City, Long Island and counties located north of the city and in eastern New Jersey due to the high risk of brushfire due to strong winds and extremely dry conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The New York State Department of Health has recommended individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One New York State Parks and Recreation Aid employee — identified as 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez — was killed Saturday while battling a forest fire in Sterling Forest in Greenwood Lake, New York, state police confirmed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she was “deeply saddened” by Vasquez’s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “My prayers go out to his family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines,” she said. “New York is battling multiple wildfires due to the dry conditions we are currently facing. Our State employees are working around the clock to protect our communities and we are keeping them close in our thoughts as they put their lives on the line to stop the spread of these wildfires.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a citywide drought watch as New York has seen the second-longest dry streak in city records dating back to 1869.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n While there have been numerous ongoing brushfires in New Jersey, one also broke out in the middle of Brooklyn on Friday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Firefighters spent almost three hours trying to contain a fire that erupted in Prospect Park<\/a>. By the time it was contained, the fire had engulfed two acres — roughly two football fields — of the park, according to the FDNY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n