Dry conditions and powerful wind gusts on Eastern Long Island fanned a fast-moving brush fire that burned hundreds of acres and stifled traffic on Sunrise Highway for hours, but by Sunday morning, the fire was mostly contained.
“This was a very big fire that could have created very big problems if not for all of us coming together,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said during a press conference.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency for Suffolk County as crews battled the fire in the Pine Barrens. The fire, which started around 1 p.m. Saturday, caused little damage, but wind continues to threaten the area.
One of the four fires is still being fought in Westhampton, according to Romaine’s office.
Rudy Sunderman, Suffolk County’s Commissioner of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, said the fire was 100% knocked down, meaning there are no more visible flames.
Early estimates show around 600 acres were affected, and two commercial structures were damaged. No private homes were destroyed, and no evacuations were needed. One firefighter was flown to a hospital to be treated for burns to the face, and a second suffered injuries. More here