On Sunday, firefighters in New York managed to extinguish a significant brush fire that had been raging in a wooded area of Long Island. The blaze was particularly concerning as officials warned that high wind gusts could pose a risk for additional fires in the region.
In response to the situation, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency just a day prior. This declaration followed the outbreak of four separate fires across the vast Pine Barrens region of Long Island, which necessitated highway closures and the evacuation of a military base.
As of Sunday, all visible flames had been successfully extinguished, including the last fire located in the hamlet of Westhampton. Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman reported during a news conference that crews were actively working on creating containment lines around the fire to prevent any further spread. Fortunately, the fire had not expanded since early Sunday morning.
Despite the progress made, officials remain cautious due to wind gusts reaching up to 30 mph (48 kph) as forecasted by the National Weather Service. “We’re concerned because the winds are still blowing; that might spark up again,” stated Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. He expressed gratitude to the firefighters who worked tirelessly through the night, noting that over 80 volunteer fire departments were involved in combating the blaze, which ultimately scorched about 600 acres (243 hectares).
During the firefighting efforts, two firefighters sustained injuries but have since been released from the hospital, according to Sunderman. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with dozens of detectives interviewing 911 callers and employing drones to gather data. Suffolk County officials confirmed that the police department’s arson squad has begun investigating the incident, although there is currently no evidence suggesting arson played a role. “We’re going to get to the bottom of what happened,” assured Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “At this time, it’s too early to tell whether or not this fire started naturally or if there’s some nefarious origin.”
In addition to the major fire, officials are keeping a close watch on a smaller brush fire located approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) west along Sunrise Highway. According to Brookhaven Town Supervisor Daniel J. Panico, there were no visible flames reported as of Sunday morning, but monitoring efforts are ongoing.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by firefighting teams in Long Island and the importance of preparedness in the face of natural disasters. As investigations continue, authorities are focused on ensuring the safety of residents and preventing further incidents.
