We hear about brush fires so often in all types of national news. However, we do not often hear about them in our region. So why have these conditions settled in such an unlikely place like Long Island?

The answer is rather simple. First and foremost our precipitation is well below average. In fact we’ve only had about half the amount of wet weather this year than we had at this time last year. So it is dry. Now take that and add low relative humidity, and a gusty breeze and the ingredients are all there for rapid fire development.

We’re not done yet. Remember this past winter? The lack of snowfall actually plays a roll in all this. Without any snowpack to tamp down field grass and forest debris it becomes a more accessible fuel and can lead to a faster spreading fire.

With no huge rain events in our near future we may continue to deal with this touchy situation for quite a while.