The Hudson Valley is now under a Red Flag warning Tuesday as a wildfire on the New Jersey/New York border continues to burn, engulfing thousands of acres and prompting some residents to voluntarily evacuate homes.
The New York State Department of Conservation says 95% of major wildfires in the state between 1993-2017 were caused by human activity. Lightning caused the other 5%. A third of fires started during that time period were caused by the accidental or intentional burning of debris, while 16% of fires were started by leaving campfire embers unattended and a fourth were ignited by embers from burning cigarettes or construction equipment.
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How to keep your property safe during wildfire season
The NYSDEC offers these tips to prevent wildfires from spreading and to protect your home from damage:Use fire-resistant materials roofing or exterior wall materials when renovating or building a home.