Massive Long Island, NY, Wildfires Prompt State of Emergency
New York Daily News
(TNS)
All four Long Island brush fires that sent soaring plumes of smoke into the air had been contained by Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
Two firefighters were hurt battling the blazes but released from the hospital by Sunday, Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman said. Two commercial buildings were also damaged, but no residential buildings were affected.
The four fires combined to torch about 600 acres across the Pine Barrens in Suffolk County, according to County Executive Ed Romaine. More than 90 departments responded to the blazes to keep them away from major population centers.
All roads that had been closed Saturday, including a 4-mile stretch of the Sunrise Highway, were reopened Sunday afternoon. Authorities are still investigating how the fires started, including the possibility of arson.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of what happened,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. “At this time, it’s too early to tell whether or not this fire started naturally or there’s some nefarious origin.”
Gov. Hochul implemented a burn ban beginning Sunday for New York City, Long Island and sections of the Hudson Valley, making it illegal to start an outdoor fire for brush and debris disposal.
By Sunday afternoon, firefighting crews were focused on putting out hotspots and preventing flareups from the previous day’s blazes. However, the potential for new fires remained into Sunday, as wind gusts were expected to reach 25 mph and no precipitation was in the forecast.
“New Yorkers are facing increased wildfire risks due to the combination of dry conditions and strong winds,” Hochul said. “As we work tirelessly to combat the fires in Suffolk County, we must all do our part to prevent further damage.”
With News Wire Services
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