NEW YORK — Nearly 150 firefighters and paramedics were deployed Wednesday to battle a wildfire in Upper Manhattan.
The FDNY said reports of smoke and flames in a large area in Inwood Hill Park, near Seaman Avenue and West 207th Street, came in just after 2:30 p.m.
The fire grew to three alarms and it took four hours for 140 firefighters and paramedics to get the blaze under control, fire officials said.
Fire officials said crews faced many challenges due to the terrain, elevation, falling trees and water issues. Crews had to use water from the Harlem River to water the side of a hill, and they stretched hose lines more than 150 feet up the hill.
According to the fire chief, crews will remain on scene throughout the night and into Thursday morning as they continue to battle hot spots.
No injuries have been reported. The cause is still under investigation.
The fire follows last week’s wildfire in Brooklyn’s Prospect Parkwhich occupied two hectares.
On Wednesday morning, FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said the department had responded to 229 wildfires since Oct. 29, the most in a two-week period in the city’s history.
New York City under drought watch and red flag warning
Along with other parts of the state the city is under drought watch as a result of the weeks-long dry period in the region. Less than 3 inches of rain has fallen in Central Park since September, and October was the city’s driest month on record.
Earlier this week, another Red Flag Warning was also issued for the area, meaning the fire danger is very high due to a combination of high winds and parched earth.
