State introduces state-of-the-art wildfire preparedness system – Saratogian

NEW YORK – Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new real-time weather data tool to inform New Yorkers when the risk of wildfires is increased.

According to a news release from the governor's office, researchers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Mesonet at the University at Albany are using data from the University at Albany Statewide Weather Network to produce daily fire danger assessments, providing more reliable wildfire information and improvement public safety.

“We are seeing the impacts of climate change in real time, with dangerous wildfire seasons across the continent year after year,” Hochul said in the press release. “We want to ensure the state has the latest tools and information to prepare for and respond to wildfires to ensure our communities and resources are protected.”

“Even before wildfires start, accurate data is critical to deploy resources and inform communities of potential threats,” added Sean Mahar, interim commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. “DEC's partnership with New York State's Mesonet will provide improved and reliable wildfire information to keep communities safe by leveraging the power of Mesonet to increase the number of stations making observations in each fire threat area -Record classification areas of the state.

“This data will help create a new, easier-to-read map that will benefit New Yorkers when the threat of wildfires arises.”

Localized fire weather information

The New York State Mesonet is the most advanced and largest early weather warning system in the country.

It has 127 standard weather observation stations covering the entire state, including at least one in every county and district. Each location measures temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, pressure, precipitation, solar radiation, snow depth, ground information and provides camera images. The data is collected every five minutes in real time and feeds weather forecast models and decision support tools for users across New York.

DEC's Wildfire Predictive Services publishes and updates a fire danger map that divides New York into multiple fire danger rating areas and then ranks them on a wildfire risk scale from low to extreme.

Improved data collection helps determine local variability in fire danger across the state, allowing community leaders, emergency managers and everyday New Yorkers to adapt their activities to prevent fires and reduce damage. It will be publicly available and will provide year-round fire danger assessments and, in conjunction with DEC's weather forecasts, other fire weather, environmental and meteorological variables for all fire danger assessment areas in New York.

Improving forest fire prevention

Fire hazard maps are posted simultaneously on the DEC website and the New York State Mesonet Fire Danger Products website.

Similar to the current RAWS system, the New York State Mesonet will provide the National Weather Information Management System, which hosts the National Fire Danger Rating System, with the data necessary to publish regional fire danger assessment products.

The public website, available through the New York State Mesonet, provides current and historical fire weather information updated daily. The project is funded by DEC through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant.

The New York State Mesonet Fire Danger Products page is available at https://www.nysmesonet.org/weather/firewx

The DEC Fire Danger Map page is available at

It will continue to provide the fire danger map as well as specific information on fire danger assessments and fire danger classification areas.

Fire danger is “high” across the state.

Recent dry conditions across the state are resulting in a “high” fire danger.

A high fire hazard means that all fine, dead fuels can easily ignite and fires can easily start from most causes, including unattended bushfires and campfires. Fires can become serious and difficult to control if not successfully fought while they are small. There is a moderate fire danger throughout the rest of New York State.

An updated fire danger map is available on the DEC website. While the statewide burning ban is no longer in effect, brush burning should only be carried out when absolutely necessary. Burning trash or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.

Open burning is prohibited in New York with the following exceptions:

• Campfires or other outdoor fires less than one meter high and less than one meter long, wide or diameter are permitted.

• Small cooking fires are permitted.

• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are permitted. Disposal of flags or religious items at a small fire is permitted unless otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.

• Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unvarnished wood may be burned.

• Fires must not be left unattended and must be completely extinguished.

For more information about fire safety and fire prevention, visit DEC's FIREWISE New York website at

Originally published: October 29, 2024 at 6:05 am EDT