FDNY battles major wildfires and hazardous conditions in Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park

INWOOD, Manhattan (WABC) — The FDNY is battling a number of dangerous wildfires in Upper Manhattan on Thursday.

Firefighters have since been battling the flames at Inwood Hill Park Wednesday afternoon.

Another fire broke out in the park around 2 a.m. on Thursday.

You could smell smoke along the walking paths.

Fires continued to burn, like the Jennings Creek Fire, in rugged areas that were difficult for firefighters to reach.

FDNY members battled the fire along the Henry Hudson Parkway at the toll plaza.

As the flames died down, firefighters monitored the fires as they burned both above and below ground.

Those fighting the fire had to come from all sides to keep the flames under control.

Firefighters used the Harlem River to douse the flames, while drones helped determine where the next steps to attack the flames would be.

The FDNY says it’s a dangerous operation that saw several trees collapse on the park’s hillside while battling the wildfire, narrowly missing firefighters.

“We had a lot of challenges here, because of the terrain and the elevation, we also had water issues,” said Fire Department Chief Kevin Woods, FDNY. “Very dangerous operation. We even had several trees fall over. Dangerous, extremely dangerous for our members.

Since October 29, the FDNY has responded to 229 wildfires.

There is a burning ban in place in the state, residents are asked to avoid outdoor burning.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine posted a video of the flames on social media.

Mayor Eric Adams advised New Yorkers to close windows and turn on air purifiers and avoid traveling in the area.

More wildfires are burning in New York City

Meanwhile, in Queens, FDNY crews battled another wildfire that broke out in Alley Pond Park around 6:45 p.m. A second alarm went off around 8:20 PM and the incident was brought under control around 9:40 PM. No injuries were reported.

Then a third wildfire broke out in Washington Heights near 166th Street and Edgecombe Avenue.

Officials said firefighters in New York had responded to more than 229 fires in the city since Oct. 29.

The fires in Inwood, Washington Heights and Queens come as crews have been fighting the Jennings Creek wildfire on the border between New York and New Jersey for days.

———-

* Get eyewitness news

* More Manhattan news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for the latest news

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or story idea we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If you attach a video or photo, terms of use apply.