Mayor Adams Suspends Open Flame and Firework Permits Citywide Amid Declared Drought Warning, High Fire Risk

November 20, 2024

Declaration Comes After City Saw Longest Rainless Streak in Recorded History  

City’s Water Supply Needs Almost Eight Inches of Rain to Reach Normal Levels 

Mayor Banned Grilling in Parks, FDNY Created First-Ever Brush
Fire Task Force in Response to Historic Increase in Brush Fires 

Drought Warning is Second of Three Levels of Water Conservation Declaration Possible by
City; Mayor Issued Drought Watch on November 2nd and Warning on November 18th  

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Robert Tucker, and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue today announced additional measures that the city is taking to prevent brush and forest fires amid the city’s ongoing drought warning, declared on Monday, as well as an increased fire risk. Effective immediately, the city is suspending the issuance of permits for fireworks displays or open flames across the entire city. Additionally, NYC Parks is cancelling previously-issued permits for fireworks displays or open flames in city parks and FDNY will review previously-issued permits for those activities in or over city streets or waters on a case-by-case basis. The city will work with individuals and groups who had those permits if they wish to proceed with their previously-scheduled event using alternatives to fireworks displays or open flames. 

“With the historic level of brush fires we’ve seen, and the continued rainfall shortage and drought conditions, we’re stepping up our efforts even further,” said Mayor Adams. “The measures we’re announcing today will help prevent additional fires, protect our natural spaces and our air, and keep New Yorkers safe. But we can’t do this alone — in addition to conserving water, we need New Yorkers to be particularly cautious if you choose to grill, smoke, or undertake other activities that involve open flames. This is absolutely not the year to try deep-frying your turkeys.” 

“As our region faces worsening drought conditions, we are now in a drought warning posture and urgently call on all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and take immediate action to protect our city. This is a critical moment, and every effort counts. We commend our partners at NYC Parks, FDNY, and all city agencies for their proactive and precautionary measures to safeguard our communities,” said Chief of Staff and Extreme Weather Coordinator Camille Joseph Varlack. “Our administration is working tirelessly to monitor the evolving situation, issue updated guidance, and implement essential protections to ensure the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers during this prolonged and challenging dry period. Together, we will navigate this crisis and build resilience for the future.” 

“Keeping our city safe during this historic drought requires more than just the hard work of our first responders; it requires all of us to be good neighbors,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker. “We have a shared responsibility to each do what we can to protect lives, property, and safety in our communities.” 

“We’ve all seen the impact of brush fires from Brooklyn to the Bronx amid the ongoing drought — which is why we are taking the commonsense measure to suspend all open flame and firework permits citywide,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “We must all do our part to keep each other, and our public realm, safe from fire.” 
 
“With a drought warning still in place, we continue to urge New Yorkers do their part, conserve water, and adhere to these important safety guidelines to reduce the chances of brush fires occurring in our city,” said FDNY Commissioner Tucker. “The FDNY has responded to more than 300 brush fires already this month and we need the public to remain vigilant and conserve water so that we can continue to effectively extinguish fires when they occur.” 

“Though hosting firework shows has long been a tradition in New York City’s parks, the unprecedented number of brush fires we’ve seen devastate our green spaces over the past few weeks require us to make smart decisions to help keep our city safe,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “We urge all New Yorkers to take these drought guidelines seriously, do their part to conserve water, and not take any unnecessary risks for the safety of our communities and the health of our precious natural resources.” 

“Dry conditions are fueling a dangerous fire risk across our city, and suspending permits for fireworks and open flames is a necessary step,” said New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Zach Iscol. “As NYCEM and our sister agencies work tirelessly to mitigate risks, coordinate efforts, and respond effectively to any incidents, we're asking all New Yorkers to do their part and be extra vigilant: report any signs of smoke or fire to 911 immediately, and please dispose of cigarettes properly. This is also a good time to check that you have working smoke alarms and a go bag with essential documents, medications, and supplies ready, just in case you need to leave your home in a hurry. We all have a role to play in keeping our city safe.”  

“Suspending permits for fireworks displays and open flames is an essential step in reducing the heightened risk of dangerous brush fires, which have surged due to the unprecedented dry conditions New York City is facing. Firefighting requires significant amounts of water, so taking proactive measures and focusing on prevention not only protects our residents and green spaces, but also preserves our water supply for essential needs,” said New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner and Chief Climate Officer Rohit T. Aggarwala. “I urge all New Yorkers to conserve water and refrain from any activities that could ignite fires during this historic dry spell. By working together, we can safeguard our city.” 

The additional measures come as New York City responds to an unprecedented uptick in the number of brush fires. In the two-week period from November 1, 2024 – November 14, 2024, the FDNY responded to 271 brush fires citywide — the highest amount in a two-week period in New York City history. In response, the FDNY created its first-ever Brush Fire Task Force, comprised of fire marshals, fire inspectors, and tactical drone units. The task force will help ensure rapid and effective responses to brush fires, conduct comprehensive investigations to help determine the cause and origin of each fire, and enhance data and information sharing to prevent fires from occurring. 

Mayor Adams also issued additional reminders to New Yorkers of key steps to help prevent fires amidst dry conditions: 

• Grilling is banned in New York City parks throughout the duration of drought conditions. 
• Fireworks remain illegal across New York City. 
• Take extra safety precautions when welding or undertaking other hot construction activities, particularly when near dry grass or leaves. 
• Smoking remains illegal on construction sites across the five boroughs. Additional information on construction site fire safety is available online. 
• Outside of construction sites, New Yorkers who choose to smoke should always dispose of cigarette butts and matches properly. 
• New Yorkers should stay on designated trails when enjoying city parks, so as to help protect surrounding vegetation and minimize the risk of accidental fires.  
• Tapping streetlights for electricity (for things like holiday decorations) remains illegal, as it poses a large fire risk. 
• As fallen and bundled leaves can be a fire accelerant, New Yorkers should continue to set out yard waste on their recycling day for New York City Department of Sanitation pickup and call 311 to have DEP clear clogged catch basins. 
• New Yorkers should remove litter and any excessive brush or leaves from sidewalks abutting their residences and businesses. 
• New Yorkers sensitive to changes in air quality should continue to take appropriate precautions and check AirNow’s website for information on city air quality. 
• All New Yorkers should subscribe to Notify NYC for up-to-date information. 

A drought warning is the second of three levels of water conservation declarations from the city. As conditions evolve, the city may declare a drought emergency, which involves escalating requirements on government agencies and New Yorkers to reduce water usage. 

Stages of drought response in New York City. Credit: City Hall 

Mayor Adams, today, also reminded all New Yorkers to do their part to conserve water. Some simple tips include:  

• Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to 311. An open hydrant can release more than 1,000 gallons per minute, which wastes 1.4 million gallons of drinking water in a 24-hour cycle.  
• Don't flush the toilet unnecessarily. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toilets are by far the main source of water use in a home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption. Each flush can use 1.6 gallons, with older models using as much as six gallons.  
• Take shorter showers, saving five to seven gallons a minute. When taking a bath, fill the tub only halfway and save 10 to 15 gallons.  
• Don't run the tap while shaving, washing hands, or brushing teeth. Faucets use two to three gallons per minute.  
• Fix leaks. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year, according to the EPA.  
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Use short cycles if available. Turn off the water while washing dishes.  
• Install water-saving fixtures, including low-flow toilets and showerheads, as well as faucet aerators.  
• Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean rather than washing them down with a hose.  
• For even more ideas, visit DEP's Water Savings Tips website.  

New York City has been successful in conserving water for decades. The city’s average daily water demand has decreased by approximately 35 percent over the past several decades, even as the city’s population has grown by more than 1 million people. During its peak, in 1979, the city’s average water usage was 1.5 billion gallons of water a day. Thanks to improved management strategies — systemwide leak detection and repairs, replacing old meters with automated meter readers, and providing an online platform for customers to track and monitor water usage and quickly detect leaks in their buildings — the city now uses just 1.1 billion gallons a day on average, and under 1 billion gallons during the winter months.  

DEP manages the nation’s largest municipal water supply system, which provides high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.3 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels, and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs.  

“Water is one of our most precious resources, and it has never been more clear with today’s drought warning,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “Climate change caused an exceptionally warm fall, leading to our reservoir system being at only 63% capacity. As New Yorkers always do in a crisis, we are coming together to face this challenge, cutting our water usage however we can. Importantly, that includes pausing the Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project, in order to deliver water from four additional reservoirs. New York is now among 48 states experiencing drought conditions due to climate change, showing we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to give our children the sustainable future they deserve.” 

“The fires in Inwood Hill Park and other parts of upper Manhattan this week have been a wake-up call. New Yorkers need to take the drought and the dry conditions it’s brought seriously, which means conserving water whenever possible and being extremely careful in dry areas of the city, like parks,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Thank you to the FDNY and Parks Department for putting out the fires and keeping New Yorkers safe.” 

“While this historic stretch of beautiful weather seems favorable at first glance. the reality is that New York City is starting to suffer the impacts of a lack of rainfall, from an unprecedented amount of brush fires across the five boroughs to the very real threat of water shortages,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “All of us have a role to play in keeping our city safe and preserving our water supply, so I encourage all New Yorkers to conserve water where they can and be aware when handling anything that can start a fire while outdoors.” 

###