Elevated Fire Spread Risk Issued for Catskills and Mohawk Valley Through Thursday Morning

Dry conditions, low humidity, and gusty southerly winds prompt Special Weather Statement; statewide burn ban remains in effect through May 14

A Special Weather Statement is in effect through 7 a.m. EDT Thursday for portions of the Catskills and Mohawk Valley, with forecasters warning of an elevated risk for fire spread due to a dangerous combination of dry fine fuels, gusty winds, and low relative humidity.

Southerly wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph, combined with relative humidity values dropping as low as 20 to 35 percent, are expected to create conditions under which any fire that ignites could spread rapidly and prove difficult to contain. Dry fine fuels — grasses, leaf litter, and other light surface debris — act as ready kindling under such conditions, allowing flames to travel quickly across the landscape.

Forecasters and state officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution around any potential ignition sources, including machinery that can throw sparks, open matches or lighters, and improperly discarded cigarette butts.

Burn Ban Remains in Effect

The warning comes as New York State’s annual statewide burn ban continues through May 14, 2026. No outdoor burn permits are being issued during this period. The ban, enforced by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), is designed to reduce wildfire risk during the spring dry season, when dead vegetation from winter is highly combustible but green growth has not yet fully taken hold.

Violations of the burn ban can result in significant fines and liability for suppression costs if a fire escapes.

What These Conditions Can Cause

Meteorologists and fire officials point to several serious hazards that accompany this type of weather pattern:

• Rapid fire spread. Low humidity desiccates vegetation, and strong winds can push a fire’s leading edge faster than firefighters can respond, particularly in wooded or brushy terrain like the Catskills.
• Spotting. Gusty winds can carry burning embers well ahead of the main fire front, igniting new blazes in locations that are difficult to predict or to pre-position resources for.
• Reduced suppression effectiveness. Aerial and ground crews have a harder time containing fires when winds are erratic and fuel moisture is critically low, making smaller ignitions more likely to escalate into major incidents.
• Smoke and air quality impacts. Any fire that does establish itself under these conditions can generate significant smoke, affecting air quality across a broad region and posing health risks for those with respiratory conditions.
• Infrastructure threats. Rural areas of the Catskills and Mohawk Valley contain a mix of residential structures, utility corridors, and forested land — all of which are vulnerable when fire can move quickly and unpredictably.

Residents are encouraged to monitor conditions, avoid any outdoor burning, and report fires immediately to 911. For more information on burn restrictions, the DEC’s website at dec.ny.gov is the authoritative resource.