Whether they are called wildfires, bushfires, forest fires, or brush fires, these often unpredictable disasters have increased significantly in number over the past decade. When most people think of these events, regions like California, Australia, and other warm, dry areas come to mind. In 2022, data collected by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit climate risk and financial modeling organization, revealed that nearly 16% of Americans live in areas prone to wildfires. The data also suggest that this percentage will continue to grow as the effects of global warming expand.

For much of the United States, often referred to as the “Lower 48” by meteorologists, the late summer and fall of 2024 have been particularly dry. With unseasonably warm days, people in the Northeast had the chance to enjoy time outdoors even as November approached. But as Mary Gilbert, a CNN meteorologist who covers extreme weather patterns, reported, this drought could pose dangerous conditions. “As of October 25, the average precipitation across the Lower 48 was less than an inch,” she said. “Only five months in the 129 years of records have ended with less than an inch of average precipitation over the Lower 48.”

The drought, combined with falling leaves, dry vegetation, and warm air, has led to an outbreak of brush fires throughout the New Jersey and New York regions. As of October 24, 2024, New Jersey firefighters had battled a record 934 wildfires. In a New York Fire Department press release from November 17, 2024, officials stated: “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.

This compared to just 200 brush fires in the entire month of October over the last three years.” The unprecedented wildfires plaguing the region have prompted the FDNY to take new steps to get the situation under control. In the November 17 press release, FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker announced “the creation of the FDNY’s first Brush Fire Task Force, comprised of fire marshals, fire inspectors, and tactical drone units in response to the historic increase in brush fires occurring throughout the five boroughs.”

An FDNY firefighter and drone instructor John Wakie explained that in the aftermath of 9/11, the FDNY began exploring ways to implement drone technology. By 2017, the department became one of the first in the country to use drones. On March 6, 2017, the FDNY deployed its newly purchased drone for the first time during a 4-alarm fire in the Bronx. Since then, the FDNY has continued to use drones to provide firefighters with situational awareness. As drone technology has advanced to include high-resolution thermal imaging cameras, drones have become crucial tools for fire detection, remediation, and prevention.

The new task force will use drones to locate areas where fires may break out, allowing firefighters to take steps to prevent such outcomes. The drones will also track the locations of active fires and, using predictive modeling, help to determine where these fires may spread. Since the FDNY primarily serves an urban environment, drones will be important for providing a view of an active fire that would be difficult, if not impossible, to see from the ground.

“By creating this task force,” Commissioner Tucker said, “we are taking real action to prevent brush fires from occurring, putting protocols in place to keep our members safe while they are in the field, and working to identify the causes of these fires after they happen to keep New Yorkers safe in the future.” Commissioner Tucker also urged the public to practice fire safety, such as being cautious while smoking, avoiding campfires, removing excess rubbish and dry leaves, and taking precautions when working with welding or other flammable materials. He reminded the public that fireworks are illegal and extremely dangerous under the current conditions. Finally, Commissioner Tucker encouraged the public to report any fires immediately after reaching a safe location.

As the end of November approaches, the weather seems to finally be taking a turn. Cooler days and anticipated precipitation should help firefighters eliminate any remaining wildfires. However, as wildfires continue to increase in frequency and severity, the creation of task forces like the FDNY’s Brush Fire Task Force and the use of advanced technologies such as drones are critical steps toward safeguarding communities, protecting first responders, and mitigating the devastating effects of these unpredictable disasters.

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