The red flag warning in effect for Long Island and much of upstate New York was lifted Thursday, but the National Weather Service said mild, dry weather was forecast for the immediate future and that the threat of bushfires persisted.

With agencies reporting no active brush fires Thursday morning on Long Island or New York, the FDNY was forced to draw water from the Harlem River while battling a brush fire overnight in the section Inwood from upper Manhattan. Much of upstate New York, including all of Long Island, is still in level D1 — or moderate drought — according to the U.S. Drought Monitor website.

This means trees, landscaping and vulnerable vegetation remain “stressed,” while the likelihood of ground fires and wildfires increases.

Although Long Island residents will still face crisp, cool weather on Thursday, with temperatures hovering in the mid to high 40s, temperatures in the low 60s are expected Saturday and Sunday. Winds are expected to reach 15 mph both days.

FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker on Wednesday warned of the threat posed by wildfires and, amid drought, the need to remain vigilant or risk seeing more in the near future .

Tucker, in a statement, called the recent series of brush fires, including several in New York, Long Island and across the state, “historic” and urged residents to be vigilant to prevent them from spreading. to release.

Long Island firefighters have battled about two dozen brush fires, mostly in Suffolk County, over the past week. A Medford volunteer firefighter was charged with arson after allegedly starting a brush fire and vehicle fire in the community Tuesday, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

The weather service also issued a coastal flood warning for the north coast, from Nassau to west Suffolk, in effect from 7 a.m. Thursday to 1 p.m. Friday. The service warned that coastal flooding is also possible along the South Shore through Friday morning.

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and the Society of the Silurians for his investigative, enterprise and current affairs reporting and feature writing , and is the author of “Swee’pea,” a book about former New York basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning film “Big Shot” 30 for 30.