NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Dry conditions and a lack of rain have pushed NYC officials to declare a drought warning. This comes after a drought watch went into effect just a little over two weeks ago.
This is the second of three levels of water conservation in the city.
“I woke up in the middle of the night and smelled the fire,” said Natalie, referring to a brush fire that consumed about two acres in Prospect Park, Brooklyn over a week ago. A neighborhood where she’s lived for 15 years.
“In such a condensed area it is scary for fire to happen and to spread quickly,” she added.
Burning in Brooklyn, Washington Heights, and other parts of the city, officials say these brush fires are a stark reminder that extreme weather has no boundaries, adding that New York City saw the second-longest rainless streak in city records dating back 255 years to 1869.
“To see the actual decreasing water in our reservoir. How this is a real issue,” stated NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
“I don’t really know what the makeup is, maybe global warming is in effect,” said Rani, a Prospect Park resident.
The City is taking a wide range of steps to protect its residents from the more serious impact of the drought. And thinking ahead of the hot summer days when much water is needed.
“Today, I’m upgrading our drought watch to a drought warning, pausing our Delaware Aqueduct repair project, and ordering our agencies to immediately implement water-saving measures," announced Adams.
In addition, city departments will reduce their water usage, including in city parks, and public vehicles won’t get washed as often.
"Our city vehicles may look a little dirtier, but if we take small steps, we can have a major impact,” added Adams.
Officials are also asking New Yorkers to do their part. Here’s what some are already doing.
“Don’t run the water, when taking showers don’t take hour showers, when you are doing dishes, turn the water on when you need it," said James.
“We don’t water the lawn anymore. We are not washing our cars," said Rani.
“Don’t use the toilet as a waste basket. Don’t put off those repairs, those leaks, sweep driver don’t power wash,” advised Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala.
On the heels of two historic dry months, the FDNY created the first-ever brush fire task force to ensure a rapid and effective response to brush fires.
“October and November, the FDNY has extinguished over 300 brush fires, and we obviously need water to do that,’ said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker.
According to city officials, over the last 10 weeks, NYC has had 8.23 inches less rain than in the average year.
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