Amtrak issued an advisory on Tuesday afternoon after reports of a brush fire east of New York Penn Station (NYP) caused power loss for trains in the area, impacting rail travel between New York Penn Station (NYP) and New Haven (NHV).
All services between New York Penn Station (NYP) and New Haven (NHV) were suspended for the remainder of the day.
Limited services were available between Boston South Station (BOS) and New Haven (NHV).
Trains approaching New York Penn Station were moved out of the area at reduced speeds using diesel-powered engines. As of 3:30pm, there was no estimate for when normal operations would resume.
Customers traveling between New York to New Haven were encouraged to utilize Metro-North Railroad services as they were honoring Amtrak tickets due to the service disruption.
Customers were asked to board Metro-North Railroad services at New York Grand Central Station. Unfortunately, customers needed to find their own means of transportation from New York Penn Station (NYP) to New York Grand Central Station.
Amtrak said customers with reservations on affected trains would typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. Amtrak said they would waive additional charges for customers looking to change their reservation during the modified schedule by calling the reservation center at 1-800-USA-RAIL.
On Tuesday, National Weather Service issued a “red flag warning” for much of the New York City metropolitan area. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected or occurring. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will create a significantly elevated fire growth potential.
Here in Connecticut there is a burn ban in effect.
On Saturday Governor Lamont declared a Stage 2 drought advisory for all eight counties in Connecticut due to far below normal precipitation levels and ongoing fire danger levels statewide.
“The lack of rain over the past two months has caused exceptionally dry conditions across Connecticut, resulting in numerous wildfires and reduced groundwater levels and streamflows,” Governor Lamont said.
In October, Governor Lamont declared a state of emergency to assist the state in its response to the ongoing lack of precipitation and critical fire weather conditions. That emergency declaration remains in effect.
Shortly after the declaration was issued, the Connecticut DEEP enacted a burn ban that prohibits the use of outdoor grills, firepits, campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors at all state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas statewide. That burn ban also remains in effect.
This weekend illegal fireworks ignited a fire in Greenwich’s Byram neighborhood, in the vicinity of a lumber yard and boat yard. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished by the Greenwich Fire Dept.