Over 500 Acres of Land Have Burned Across New York This Month

2024 was a tough year when it comes to wildfires across New York State. It looks as though that pattern has been continuing into 2025.

Remember the Jennings Creek Wildfire in Greenwood Lake, NY?

In November of 2024, a wildfire sparked on the state line between New York and New Jersey. For weeks the fire spread and burned across the Hudson Valley.

READ MORE:  Upstate, NY Firefighters Help Hudson Valley Battle Wildfire Blaze

Between November 8th and November 22nd, the Jennings Creek Wildfire burned through over 5,000 acres of land and taking the life of a young volunteer firefighter.

As we exit winter and head into the warmer months, we're already seeing a pattern of dry weather effect the Hudson Valley and New York State.

Over 500 Acres of Land Burned Throughout NYS in March 2025

The dry weather and wind picked up quickly in March 2025 causing brush fires to breakout across the state.

In a press release shared by the Department of Environmental Conversation we learned that between March 8th and March 17th 2025, 25 fires have been put out between 8 counties.

Between Broome, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Steuben, Suffolk, Ulster, and Washington Counties 558 acres of land have been burned.

The most acreage burned was in Westhampton and Suffolk Counties with 424 acres. With all of that being said, there are some rules in place, statewide, to avoid fire spreading.

Burn Ban In Effect Across New York State

This year the New York State Burn Ban is effect from March 16th until May 14th, meaning open fires and brush burning are prohibited within that time frame.

The DEC's Acting Commissioner Lefton said in a statement:

As the seasons change, melting snow leaves behind dead leaves and brush more likely to catch fire and put our communities and natural resources at risk. In addition to protecting land and structures, the burn ban keeps DEC Forest Rangers and other firefighters safe and ready to respond to emergencies.

The DEC also continually updates their Fire Danger Map on their website throughout the year as a resource to view local conditions.