New York City declared a drought warning on Monday, its first in 22 years, as the Northeast deals with severe dry conditions and brush fires during a historically dry autumn. Mayor Eric Adams and the city’s Department of Environmental Protection elevated a drought watch issued on Nov.

New York City on Monday issued its first drought warning in 22 years and paused major repairs to its main water aqueduct out of concern for the lack of rainfall. Dry conditions across the Northeast have been blamed for hundreds of brush fires.

NEW YORK — City has been placed under a drought warning, with city agencies now under water restrictions and repairs to the city’s main water aqueduct put on pause as the city’s dry spell continues, Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday.