Brush fires rips through parts of Long Island; 1 firefighter injured
LONG ISLAND - A brush fire is currently ripping through parts of the Pine Barrens on Long Island as of Saturday afternoon.
Fire officials say that the fire, which was moving southeast at a rapid pace was fueled by high winds in the area.
Westhampton Beach County Executive Ed Romaine cautioned that officials were committed to doing everything possible to prevent a recurrence of the 1995 Sunrise Fire, which was the largest fire the state had encountered in nearly 90 years and took four days to contain.
The fire was a learning experience for officials, as the flames, fueled by strong winds, leaped into the sky and even hopped over highways, creating unpredictable and dangerous conditions.
SKIP TO: What was the Sunrise Fire of 1995?
Westhampton officials give update on brush fires on Long Island: FULL VIDEO
Westhampton Beach County Executive Ed Romaine cautioned that officials were committed to doing everything possible to prevent a recurrence of the 1995 Sunrise Fire, which was the largest fire the state had encountered in nearly 90 years and took four days to contain.
As of 5:45 p.m. Saturday, the fire was 50 percent contained in the WestHampton area, with all other fires in the region now extinguished.
One firefighter sustained burns to the face and has been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
County 31 and Sunrise Highway remain closed to facilitate the passage of first responders.
Officials stated that due to the wind conditions, the fire could persist for several hours, or even days, as the winds continue to ignite the blaze.
A total of 90 departments, including both EMS and fire officials, are currently working on the scene.
In response to the situation, a burn ban and a State of Emergency have been enacted as Long Island is in an elevated fire risk. Authorities emphasize that the priority is to contain the fire and prevent its spread.
The cause of the fire remains unclear.
State of Emergency declared after fire burns Pine Barrens
As of 5:45 p.m. Saturday, the fire was 50 percent contained in the WestHampton area, with all other fires in the region now extinguished. FOX 5 NY's Jessica Formoso has the latest.
What we know:
New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that state agencies were actively responding to the situation. "We are in close communication with local partners on Long Island to coordinate assistance and ensure they have the resources needed to protect their communities," she stated in a post on X.
The FDNY said they responded to the brush fire near Gerritsen Beach using their bambi bucket to make water drops from the air to help extinguish the flames.
The National Weather Service reports that local radar is indicating several smoke plumes from small-scale fire as of 2:55 p.m. Apparently, northwest winds are causing the plumes to blow offshore and further downstream.
According to police, Sunrise Highway east of exit 62 is closed down due to these brush fires.
Authorities are urging the public to stay clear of the affected areas as conditions continue to change.
The Air National Guard Base has been evacuated, and reports indicate that Suffolk Community College is also in the process of evacuation.
What was the Sunrise Fire of 1995?
Westhampton, N.Y.: Firefighters stand on a mound as the Sunrise Wildfire burns on August 25, 1995, at the Westhampton Transfer Station, Town of Southampton, New York. The fire was not extinguished until early September 1995. (Photo by Bill Davis/News
The Sunrise Fire of 1995 was a series of fires that ravaged nearly 12 square miles of pine barrens along the South Shore of Long Island, affecting the communities of Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, and Speonk.
According to The New York Times, the fire charred thousands of acres of the Pine Barrens, prompting mass evacuations and mobilizing firefighting teams from across New York State and beyond.
In one of the most notable successes of the operation, firefighters made a stand at Montauk Highway and Old Country Road, which served as the dividing line between Westhampton and Westhampton Beach.
This effort was critical in preventing the fire from reaching the more affluent and heavily populated beach community.
The response and eventual containment of the fire took four days, and it had a lasting impact on firefighting strategies and preparedness in the region.