Fire risk elevated across New York

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - Dry conditions are creating a major risk for grass and brush fires across western New York and one municipality is asking residents to conserve water.

News 4 received a notice from the Grand Island Town Supervisor, asking residents not to water their lawns or wash cars to conserve water. It is not mandatory, but she says if enough people conserve, it will not get to emergency status, where you're prevented from do that.

Meanwhile to the far south, they are happy campers at Allegany State Park. Campfires are still allowed at all local State Parks, including Allegany, Darien, Four-Mile Creek and Letchworth.

Camper James Grice said, "I don't think it would ruin the camping trip [to not light a campfire], but it would definitely put a damper on things especially at night time, cooking certain meals, but I think it would still be an enjoyable time."

Allegany State Park actually seems to be handling the drought condition better than other areas. The grass is actually greener in the park than it is in Buffalo.

But Thursday, for the first time this year, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation elevated the fire risk in NYS from moderate to high. The whole state was elevated to yellow, aside from the New York City area, which remains at moderate risk. That is still not enough to require a ban on campfires.

DEC Capt. Daniel Richter said he doesn't believe fire bans will be coming soon, saying, "I believe it's going to hold at high for some time and we'll have to see what kind of moisture we get Saturday, Sunday and Monday. That's our next chance for any significant rain."

Even though the fire risk is listed as high it would have to be in the very high or extreme category before a campfire ban was issued.