Long Island is grappling with heightened brushfire risks as dry conditions persist across the region. Over the past few weeks, brushfires have popped up in several areas, including Coram, Riverhead and Massapequa Preserve. Western Nassau County is currently in a severe drought. The rest of Long Island is experiencing a moderate drought.

With these conditions in place, fire departments are on high alert. Nearly every fire department in Nassau County has responded to some form of brushfire in recent weeks, according to Nassau Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro.

"With the high fire danger, even the smallest thing like a spark from many different sources could lead to something that’s really tragic," Uttaro said.

Local officials are urging residents to take extra precautions to prevent fires. Uttaro specifically warned against the use of fire pits and stressed the importance of safely disposing of barbecue coals in metal containers to prevent sparks from igniting nearby brush.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin also highlighted the importance of water conservation during the drought.

"If you don’t need to water your lawn, please don’t. We want to have the water on hand in case of an emergency," Clavin advised. He expressed particular concern about the weather forecast for the upcoming weekend, which could further elevate the risk of brush fires.