New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide burn ban is in effect until November 30 due to an increased fire risk as the state continues to experience drought conditions and firefighters respond to a record number of wildfires.

Also, Suffolk County police reported the arrest of a Medford volunteer firefighter who police accused of intentionally setting a brush fire in a wooded area of Medford on Tuesday.

In addition, a brush fire ignited on Wednesday afternoon in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan. Robert S. Tucker, commissioner of the New York Fire Department (FDNY), said the conditions were "treacherous" for first responders who worked for four hours to contain the fire. He said they would stay on the site all night and into the morning to address hot spots. He reported there were no injuries.

FDNY has also been responding to other fires the past few weeks in wooded areas of the city. FDNY says it has responded to 229 brush fires since October 29, the highest number in a two-week period in city history .

"As we experience drought conditions and an increased fire risk across the state, now is not the right time to be burning outdoors, and I urge everyone to heed our warnings as we continue to take the necessary precautions to keep all New Yorkers safe," the governor said in announcing the statewide ban against burning outdoors.

Hochul provided an update on wildfires burning across the state: