Long Island Brush Fires Under Control Amid High Winds

New York officials are currently addressing a brush fire that has been largely contained in the Pine Barrens area of Long Island. The series of fires, which ignited over the weekend, prompted statewide emergency measures and raised concerns for further flare-ups due to high winds.

State of Emergency Declared

In response to the outbreak of four separate fires affecting expansive areas, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a state of emergency. This declaration came just a day before the containment efforts, leading to road closures and the evacuation of a nearby military installation.

Current Fire Status

By Sunday, fire crews reported they had successfully extinguished all active flames, including a fire located in Westhampton. Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman stated that containment lines were being established to prevent any potential re-ignition.

“We’re still vigilant because of the wind conditions, which could ignite new fires,” noted Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine during a press briefing.

Response Efforts

Over 80 volunteer fire departments were engaged in battling the blazes, which collectively scorched approximately 600 acres (243 hectares). While the firefighting efforts were largely successful, two firefighters suffered injuries and were subsequently hospitalized before being released.

Investigation Underway

The cause of these fires is currently under investigation, with officials employing detectives to follow up on 911 reports and utilizing drones for aerial assessments. Although authorities have launched an investigation through the police department’s arson squad, there’s no evidence suggesting the fires resulted from malicious intent.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina remarked, “We will thoroughly investigate the cause of these fires. At this moment, it remains unclear if they were ignited through natural means or if there was any foul play involved.”

Additional Fire Concerns

Meanwhile, a separate small brush fire was monitored along Sunrise Highway, although no active flames were noted as of Sunday morning. Officials remain cautious of the ongoing wind conditions, with gusts predicted to reach up to 30 mph (48 kph), which could pose a risk for new incidents.

As the situation develops, emergency services continue to prioritize community safety and environmental protection in the wake of these dangerous conditions.