Brush fire warning issued for Staten Island, NYC

Andrew J Lanza

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Be on alert: Dry conditions and gusty winds will increase the risk of brush fires throughout the city on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the five boroughs and surrounding areas.

It remains in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A Red Flag Warning means that a combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger. Red Flag Warning conditions can also make firefighting difficult and increase the threat fires pose to life and property.

The FDNY and city Office of Emergency Management warned that the grasslands in the boroughs outside Manhattan are particularly vulnerable to brush fires.

Among precautions New Yorkers can take are keeping lawns, trees, and plants well watered; trimming dead wood from trees, and removing branches that are close to the ground ground.

Other suggestions include properly disposing of trash and debris, removing furniture, boxes and other material from your property; keeping the roof clean and clear; mowing regularly, and removing leaf clutter from roof and gutters.

To receive real-time text and voice alerts about emergencies and special events sign up for Notify NYC -- the city's free emergency notification system -- at www.nyc.gov -- or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

By Stephanie Slepian/Staten Island Advance 
on April 03, 2013 at 9:31 AM, updated April 03, 2013 at 10:30 AM