NEW YORK (WENY) -- With the fire danger in New York currently designated as high, the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday, October 25th that New York has rolled out new tools to help New Yorkers stay up to date on their fire danger. Called Fire Danger Maps, they use real time weather data to let people know when there is an increased risk of wildfires.
“We’re seeing the effects of climate change in real time, with dangerous wildfire seasons across the continent year after year,”?Hochul said in a prepared statement, adding ?“We want to make sure the state has the latest tools and information to prepare for and respond to wildfires to ensure our communities and resources are protected.”
The Fire Danger Maps were created through a partnership between the State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University at Albany. The maps use data generated by a statewide weather network to create daily fire danger ratings.
"Even before wildland fires ignite, accurate data is crucial to deploy resources and advise communities of potential dangers. DEC’s partnership with New York State Mesonet will offer enhanced and reliable wildfire information to help keep communities safe by harnessing the power of the Mesonet to increase the number of stations recording observations in each of the state’s Fire Danger Rating Areas. This data will help inform a new, easier to read map that will benefit New Yorkers when wildfire dangers arise," said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar.
According to the Governor's Office, the New York State Mesonet is the nation's largest and most advanced weather detection system. As it stands, 127 standard weather observation stations cover the entire state,?including at least one in every county and borough.
“As the climate is getting warmer, the frequency and severity of fire weather is increasing across the U.S. This new collaboration will respond by taking full advantage of NYS Mesonet weather data and expertise, providing a more detailed and accurate fire danger rating scale," said New York State Mesonet Director June Wang in a prepared statement.