Over the past six months, Brooklyn's Marine Park has faced severe wildfires, reducing over 50 acres to ash due to a historic drought. This trend is alarming local environmentalists, leading to efforts to plant nonflammable vegetation. Firefighters have dealt with numerous small brush fires, with conditions exacerbated by invasive species like Phragmites turning dry. Data shows an increase in citywide brush fires this year compared to the previous year, and local fire battalions have seen a spike in fire activity, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Back in October, firefighters battled fires on six of the 31 days, making for a 'high-activity period' for the Gerritsen Beach fire force, known as the Vollies.
Brush fires in the fall and spring seasons are not unusual for Marine Park, but this year's historic drought turned the marshland bone-dry, and transformed Phragmites, an invasive straw-like plant, into tinder.
Most burned for just one acre, but several registered as wide as six before the flames died down during the winter months.
It's easy to say that it's an above-average year. Typically, it's probably about 15 acres.
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