How dry is It? Enough that Wildfires Force Evacuations in Usually soggy Northeast

Severe wildfires are forcing evacuations in Warwick, N.Y., as dry conditions persist across the Northeast, with residents across the region facing heightened risks due to nearly 50 days without significant rain and no relief in sight. In addition, high winds, with gusts up to 40 mph, are fueling the fires, which range from New York to Massachusetts, keeping firefighters working around the clock. The dry terrain, coupled with strong winds, increases the likelihood of fires igniting from small sparks or electrical malfunctions and marks a dangerous escalation in wildfire activity for the region, a phenomenon not seen in decades.