FDNY battles large brush fire in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan
Firefighters also battled separate brush fires in Queens and Washington Heights
INWOOD, Manhattan -- The FDNY is battling an extensive brush fire that erupted in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon.
Two fires reportedly ignited around 3 p.m. and spread rapidly across a large area of brush, sending a smoke blanket moving over Manhattan toward the George Washington Bridge.
The fire at Seamon Avenue and West 207th Street was brought under control, but a second one, located at West 218th Street and Indian Road, was still active.
FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods said there were multiple challenges fighting the fire due to the terrain and elevation Inwood Hill Park, including water issues.
"Obviously there aren't fire hydrants in the middle of a forest," Woods said.
They used the draft from the Harlem River, bringing in fire boats and connecting hoses that stretched uphill for 150 feet. That led to a dangerous operation, as multiple trees collapsed, narrowly missing firefighters.
FDNY officials say they deployed drones to enhance safety and identify hot spots.
While officials said the fire was almost under control, they said FDNY crews will be on the scene throughout the night.
Eyewitness News spoke to parkgoers, who said the first thing they noticed was a choking smoke.
"I've lived here for 40 years, and this is one thing I've never seen, ever, in Inwood Hill Park," said Inwood resident Julio Nunez. "And like 20 minutes ago I told my wife, 'it smells in our apartment, what the heck is going on?' So, I'm going out to see what it is, and I come, and I look, and this is shocking, it makes me want to cry. I've never seen anything like this, it's so sad."
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine posted video of the flames on social media.
Mayor Eric Adams advised New Yorkers to close windows and turn on air purifiers while avoid travel in the area.
Inwood Hill Park is considered one of the city's most treasured sanctuaries.
"It's one of our most sacred parks - it's sacred not only to modern day Manhattanites - but it's also sacred land to the Lenape people who were just here two weekends ago planting beach plums right on this waterfront here," said Manhattan Borough Commissioner of NYC Parks Tricia Shimamura.
Additional brush fires burning in New York City
Meanwhile in Queens, FDNY crews battled another brush fire that broke out at Alley Pond Park around 6:45 p.m. It went to a second alarm around 8:20 p.m., and was placed under control around 9:40 p.m. No injuries were reported.
Then in Washington Heights, a third brush fire broke out near 166th Street and Edgecombe Avenue.
Officials said firefighters in New York had already responded to over 229 fires in the city since October 29.
The fires in Inwood, Washington Heights and Queens come as crews have been battling the Jennings Creek wildfire on the New York-New Jersey border for days.
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