The Westhampton brush fire, which became the largest of the blazes that swept through eastern Suffolk County on Saturday, has now been fully extinguished, according to officials from Suffolk County. As of Sunday, efforts continue to ensure that the fire remains entirely contained, which involves establishing sufficient breaks around the affected areas to prevent any potential reignition and further spread.
Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Rudy Sunderman emphasized that the fire will only be deemed fully contained once approximately 10-foot breaks have been created around its perimeter, effectively removing all combustible materials. As of noon Sunday, the construction of these essential fire breaks was about 22% complete, with bulldozers and heavy equipment actively clearing vegetation to fortify the area.
Commissioner Sunderman expressed optimism that the construction of fire breaks could be completed by Sunday, although additional work may be necessary into Monday. Lewis Scott, the second assistant chief of the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, confirmed that the fire perimeter did not expand in size throughout the day.
Amanda Lefton, acting commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, stated that her agency is coordinating air resources to help mitigate the risk of fire by dampening the dry woodlands. This includes bucket drops by the National Guard. Lefton assured the public that there has been no significant threat to air quality; however, she advised individuals who detect smoke to remain indoors or wear masks for safety.
The Suffolk County Police Department is actively investigating the origins of the brush fire, with 25 detectives deployed, including arson investigators utilizing helicopters and drones. Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina indicated that part of the ongoing investigation involves interviewing all 911 callers. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” Catalina stated, emphasizing the urgency of determining whether the fire was human-caused. “God forbid this was started by somebody; we want to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” he added.
Detectives from the arson squad were seen canvassing areas along the south side of Sunrise Highway on Sunday, examining stretches of charred brush. A drone was deployed to capture aerial images for further analysis as they moved east toward the Westhampton exit.
Lefton reassured the public that the DEC does not anticipate significant negative impacts on the Pine Barrens ecosystem, describing it as a fire-dependent system that benefits from periodic fires for regrowth. She noted that the ecosystem will begin to recover after the next rainfall and continue to improve over the following years.
Brian Gallagher, a state forest ranger with the New York State DEC, announced that plans for controlled burns in the vicinity of the fires have recently been approved. While controlled burns have been successfully conducted in nearby areas like Flanders and Rocky Point, such measures have not yet been implemented in Westhampton.
County officials are concerned about the overall health of the forest, particularly regarding dead trees affected by the Southern Pine Beetle. County Executive Steve Romaine mentioned that while these dead trees may not have directly contributed to the fire, they pose a significant risk should another fire occur in the future.
Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) visited the Gabreski Airport staging area and praised the efforts of the approximately 90 agencies involved in extinguishing the fires. LaLota indicated that he will seek federal funding if the damage qualifies as a FEMA disaster, estimating that uninsured damages would need to exceed $37 million to qualify.
Fortunately, LaLota reported that damages have not yet reached that threshold. He expressed hope that if they do, "Washington ought to be there to help my neighbors." During the firefighting efforts, two firefighters sustained minor injuries, with one already released from the hospital. Additionally, two commercial buildings were damaged, including Autogate Systems on Old Riverhead Road and another chemical company, though no residential structures were affected.
NewsdayTV meteorologist Rich Von Ohlen noted that wind speeds decreased from Saturday's gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour, which had posed challenges for firefighting crews. On Sunday morning, winds were expected to range from 10 to 20 mph, with a possibility of increasing to 25 mph later in the evening. According to Bryan Ramsey, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, winds from the south could bring higher humidity, thereby reducing fire risk.
As for the ongoing dry conditions, Ramsey indicated that a dry forecast is anticipated until possibly the weekend. The brush fire, which ignited around 1 p.m. on Saturday in Center Moriches, rapidly spread to East Moriches, Eastport, and Westhampton, with the Westhampton fire being the most extensive, measuring approximately 2 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. The weather conditions have been particularly conducive to brush fires, with Long Island experiencing minimal snowfall this winter and classified as Abnormally Dry or in Moderate Drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Governor Kathy Hochul reported on Saturday that personnel from multiple state agencies were actively participating in the firefighting response, including the deployment of an MC-130 and four Black Hawk helicopters. Local residents like Monica Guerrero and her daughter were initially confused by the smoke, mistaking it for clouds, until they received updates about the fires. They expressed gratitude for the rapid response of first responders, stating, “They did a wonderful job.”
As the community continues to recover from this incident, local residents remain vigilant and hopeful for a resolution to the ongoing fire risks. Check back for updates on this developing story.
