Commuters traveling between New York City and New Haven, extending all the way to Boston, experienced significant delays on Amtrak services due to a brush fire that caused a loss of rail power east of Penn Station. The incident, reported on Tuesday, left many passengers stranded as Amtrak announced that all services between Penn Station and New Haven would be suspended for the remainder of the day.
As of 3:30 p.m. on the same day, Amtrak officials indicated that there was no estimate available for when normal train operations would resume. Passengers were informed that trains approaching Penn Station were being diverted and operated at reduced speeds while firefighters worked to control the brush fire.
For those with existing reservations, Amtrak offered the option to honor tickets on trains with similar departure times on different days, alleviating concerns over potential extra fees for changing travel plans.
The situation was exacerbated by ongoing wildfires in North Jersey and parts of upstate New York. In response to the escalating fire threats, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide ban on outdoor fires, including those started for brush and debris disposal, as well as small campfires and open fires used for cooking. This decision was made to prevent additional fires from straining resources already allocated to controlling larger, more dangerous blazes.
One of the major wildfires affecting the region was located at Jennings Creek and Sterling State Park, which spans approximately 5,000 acres along the border of New York and New Jersey. Reports indicated that this fire was only 10% contained, raising concerns about air quality and health risks associated with smoke in the New York metropolitan area.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of avoiding outdoor burning during this critical time, stating, “It’s absolutely critical that New Yorkers avoid any outdoor burning at this time. We’re announcing today a statewide burn ban because the threats are too great. And we cannot have our resources directed to smaller fires. We need everybody, all hands on deck on the major scale fires we have right here.”
Jason Abrams, a spokesperson for Amtrak, confirmed that the brush fire had resulted in a halt of train traffic between New Rochelle and New York City, further complicating the travel plans of many commuters.
The wildfires have not only affected transportation but have also led to deteriorating air quality across the region, posing potential health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
As the situation develops, passengers are advised to stay informed about the latest updates from Amtrak and local authorities regarding travel conditions and safety measures in place due to the ongoing wildfires.
