Recent Dry Weather Conditions Increase Brush Fire Risk in Rockland

Over the past week, there have been several brush fires, including a West Point brush fire burning since the weekend. 

Rockland County Fire Coordinator Chris Keal offers advice on how to minimize brush fires in the recent dry weather conditions for the time being. 

According to Keal, Rockland County residents should be cautious with campfires and lit cigarettes, which are especially dangerous during dry weather. Campers should use even more water than they think is necessary when putting out a campfire to ensure the fire is out. 

Keal advised, "Just really soak it down. You don't want to leave it smoldering for a day or two, and then embers fly around, and they drift off into a wooded area and start a fire." 

Keal also had optimistic news: Rockland County is almost in the safe zone regarding brush-fire danger. One more big rainstorm would likely put the area in the clear.

Twenty-one other counties were placed under drought watch by Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, July 29. A drought watch is meant to encourage residents in affected counties, particularly those dependent on private groundwater wells, to conserve water whenever possible during the coming weeks.

"Recent rains across the state were not enough to address the dry conditions that have persisted this year," Governor Hochul said. "Local water restrictions and educating residents about how to help conserve our water resources will be crucial steps to help prevent a more severe shortage should conditions worsen."

The counties under drought watch are Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genessee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Suffolk, Tompkins, Wyoming, and Yates. A watch is the first of four levels of State drought advisories, which are watch, warning, emergency, and disaster. No mandatory restrictions are in place under a drought watch.

Photo: Patch