NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT & FDNY ADVISE NEW YORKERS ABOUT INCREASED RISK OF BRUSH FIRES

April 3, 2019 — The New York City Emergency Management Department and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) today advised New Yorkers that gusty winds and dry conditions would increase the risk of dangerous brush fires Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. A Wind Advisory is also in effect for New York City on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for New York City from 12 p.m. Wednesday through 2 a.m. Thursday, April 4. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected or occurring. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will create significantly elevated fire growth potential.

NYC Emergency Management and FDNY encourage New Yorkers to exercise extra caution when using any ignition source outdoors, including gas and charcoal grills. In addition, smokers should never carelessly discard cigarettes. 

New York City’s outer-borough grasslands are particularly vulnerable to brush fires. Residents of these communities should take steps to make their homes less vulnerable to wildfires. 

To report a fire, dial 911 immediately. Do not put yourself in harm’s way trying to extinguish a fire. For more information about fire safety, call 311 or visit NYC.gov.

New Yorkers are also advised to prepare for high winds that will affect the city on Wednesday, April 3. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory in effect for New York City from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 3. A Wind Advisory is issued when sustained winds of 31 mph to 39 mph, or gusts of 46 mph to 57 mph are expected or occurring. Winds this strong may blow down limbs, trees, and power lines, and can make driving difficult, especially for large vehicles like trucks, vans, and SUVs. Drivers of these large vehicles should exercise extreme caution. Scattered power outages are possible. 

The Department of Buildings (DOB) has issued a weather advisory to remind property owners, contractors, and crane operators to take precautionary measures and secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment during high winds expected to begin on Wednesday, April 3. The department will perform random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the department will take immediate enforcement action — issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary. To safeguard construction sites, builders, contractors, and developers should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:

• Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites.
• Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather.
• Store loose tools, oil cans, and extra fuses in a toolbox.
• Secure netting, scaffolding, and sidewalk sheds.
• Suspend crane operations and secure crane equipment when wind speeds reach 30 mph or greater.
• Suspend hoist operations and secure exterior hoists when wind speeds reach 35 mph or greater, unless manufacturer specifications state otherwise.
• Brace and secure construction fences.
• Call 911 if there is an emergency on a construction site.

Buildings Bulletin 2015-029 outlines the requirements for vertical netting, debris netting and material-fall protection devices at buildings and construction sites. To view this bulletin, click here.

To secure a building, property owners should take all precautionary measures including but not limited to the following:

• Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools, and toys.
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
• Close up and secure patio umbrellas.
• Secure retractable awnings.
• Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
• Pay attention to local weather forecasts and bulletins issued by the National Weather Service on local radio stations.
• Beware of falling braches if you are near trees.

• To prepare for a possible power outage, charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies, and turn your refrigerator and freezer to a colder setting. If you lose power, items that need refrigeration will stay cooler for longer.
• If your power goes out, disconnect or turn off appliances that would otherwise turn on automatically when service is restored. If several appliances start up at once, the electric circuits may overload.
• Make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions are working. Keep extra batteries.
• If you lose power & have a disability, access and functional needs or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) & need immediate assistance, dial 911.
• Do not use generators indoors.

New Yorkers are encouraged to download the Notify NYC mobile application, which is available for free download from iTunes or Google Play. Notify NYC is the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can also receive phone calls, text messages, and/or email alerts about weather conditions and other emergencies. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

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MEDIA CONTACTS: Omar Bourne (NYC EM) (718) 422-4888 

Jim Long/Frank Dwyer (FDNY) (718) 999-2056 

Andrew Rudansky/Abigail Kunitz (DOB) (212) 393-2126

STAY CONNECTED: Twitter: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications)

@nycemergencymgt (emergency preparedness info)

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