Wildfire In Harriman State Park Burned 62 Acres

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The wildfire that broke out May 10 in Harriman State Park near the New Jersey border burned 62 acres, making it the largest wildfire in New York's Region 3 so far in 2022.

State forest rangers, Palisades Interstate Park Commission park rangers and firefighters from Mahwah, New Jersey, responded to the blaze, which was in steep, rocky terrain. SEE: Fire Burning At Harriman State Park; Mahwah Fire Assisting

Drone video of the fire is available here on the DEC website.

In New York, wildfires, often called forest fires, damage thousands of acres of natural resources most every year. Although wildfires do occur from lightning, human activities are the cause of most wildfires.

Historically, the Hudson Valley has a high number of wildfires per square mile.

Open burning is prohibited in New York, with several exceptions:

• Campfires or any other outdoor fires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
• Small cooking fires are allowed.
• Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed. Disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed, if it is not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
• Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
• Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.

In towns with a total population less than 20,000, you may burn tree limbs with attached leaves. The limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length (also referred to as brush). However, this is not allowed from March 16 through May 14 due to the increased risk of wildfires. Burning loose leaves or leaf piles is illegal.