Smoky Aroma Pervades NYC Due to Fires in New Jersey and Brooklyn

Residents of New York City awoke to an unsettling smoky aroma on Saturday morning. This followed multiple fires that ignited on Friday in areas such as Prospect Park and across the Hudson River.

Throughout the city, people were greeted by an unusual smoky scent as they began their weekend. This was especially disconcerting as the city, usually unscathed by wildfires, is currently experiencing a drought and fires had erupted in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and across in New Jersey.

On Saturday, a warning was issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This alert affected not only New York City but also extended to Rockland and Westchester Counties, remaining in effect until 11 p.m.

The strong smell of smoke disturbed Desi Yvette, a resident of Williamsburg, who noted it during the night. At 2 a.m., she found herself unable to return to sleep.

"I thought there might have been a nearby blaze, but with no sirens, it didn't seem like an emergency," mentioned Ms. Yvette while walking her dog Midas, a Maltese mix, on Saturday. "Although, the smell is certainly unpleasant."

Not aware of the incident, Ms. Yvette was surprised by how the scent had traveled such a distance, commenting, "It's incredible how we can still smell it here. It's certainly been a chaotic week."

Governor Kathy Hochul, in an official communication, highlighted the multiple wildfires affecting New York State, with areas such as Hudson Valley, Long Island, and the Catskills being at heightened risk. A coordinated response involving several agencies was mobilized to tackle fires devastating hundreds of acres in Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange Counties.

The alarm about the fire at Prospect Park reached New York City firefighters around 6:40 p.m. It took nearly three hours and the efforts of over one hundred emergency responders to bring the blaze under control, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Fire Department.