An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for the city Sunday due to smoke from brush fires in and near the five boroughs.
Wildfires burned across the Hudson River in New Jersey and Orange County over the weekend, with the latter resulting in the death of an 18-year-old park ranger.
A fire also broke out in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx Saturday night.
The ground was covered in soot, with burnt trees and leaves scattered about and some trees downed.
Flames spread across five-acres of the park, the FDNY said. Dozens of firefighters worked to put it out.
Multiple fires broke out across the city Saturday night, including a brush fire in Prospect Park for the second night in a row.
Officials say the fires are due to the abnormally dry conditions, with the city under a drought watch and October having been the driest month in 155 years. The lack of rain elevates the risk of more brush fires in the region.
Air quality issues are especially concerning for high-risk New Yorkers with lung issues.
“I have issues with my lungs from the World Trade Center. But it was very bad [Saturday],” Bob O’Brien said. “I was waiting in the park. Next thing you know, there were fire engines all over, smoke all over and it was hard to breathe.”