Long Island is experiencing unusually dry weather, creating ideal conditions for brush fires. Firefighters responded to a fire at the Massapequa Preserve on Thursday, likely fueled by the dry conditions.

Officials are urging residents to take steps to prevent fires, such as keeping a fire extinguisher near grills and fire pits, avoiding burning on windy days, and fully extinguishing fires with water and stirring the ashes afterward.

At the same time, the Suffolk County Water Authority is facing record demand for water. October marked the highest water usage on record for the authority.

“We have unprecedented demand. The month of October here at the Suffolk County Water Authority was the largest demand for water we’ve ever had,” said Joseph Pokorny, of the Suffolk County Water Authority.

To help conserve water, the authority is asking residents to follow the odd-even watering schedule, even outside of the summer months, and avoid watering lawns if possible.