Brush Fire Engulfs Brooklyn's Prospect Park, Smoke and Traffic Delays Expected

Prospect Park Bathed in Smoke as Firefighters Battle Brush Fire

Firefighters in Brooklyn are battling a brush fire that broke out in Prospect Park on Friday evening. The blaze, which started just before 7 p.m., quickly escalated to a two-alarm fire by 8 p.m.

Over 60 firefighters and EMS personnel are on the scene working to extinguish the fire. The FDNY is utilizing drone technology to pinpoint hot spots and deploying specialized brush fire units to combat the flames.

Smoke and traffic delays are expected in the area, and residents are advised to close their windows. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Drought Conditions Fuel Wildfires Across the Region

The fire comes amidst a prolonged dry spell that has put New York City and other parts of the state under a drought watch. The lack of rainfall has created a heightened risk of wildfires, with less than 2 inches of rain falling in Central Park since September.

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the region due to the combination of high winds and dry conditions. Firefighters in New Jersey have been battling a series of wildfires in recent days, including a blaze that erupted early Friday morning in the Palisades, sending plumes of smoke across the Hudson River into parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.

The FDNY will provide updates on the fire at 11 p.m. on CBS News New York.