NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Firefighters are battling yet another New York City brush fire that sprang up in Harlem on Tuesday afternoon, one day after the city shifted its response to persistent dry conditions across the Tri-State area to a drought warning.
The fire is burning along Harlem River Drive near West 155th Street, according to the FDNY. It was initially reported as a 2-alarm fire, but was escalated to 3-alarms around 4:21 p.m.
At a press conference on Tuesday evening, fire officials said that 10 to 15 acres of brush was burning. The blaze broke out in a hilly area of the park, making operations difficult, forcing fire crews to stretch four hose lines through the park.
Residents were told to expect smoke and traffic delays in the area, and advised to close their windows.
Not long after the blaze reached 3-alarms, the FDNY requested that news helicopters leave the area “as soon as possible” as they were interfering with drone response and communications.
The fire was under control when fire officials provided an update at 6:22 p.m., but officials are remaining on the scene to monitor the situation.
There were no reported injuries.