'Elevated wildfire risk' remains as crews gain control of Long Island blazes
Firefighters on New York's Long Island gained control of a wind-driven brush fire in the Pine Barrens on Sunday, about a day after Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and said authorities were determined to avoid the type of devastation that swept across Southern California two months ago.
Four fires ignited in the area Saturday but were mostly suppressed by Sunday evening. Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman said the largest of the four fires was 100% "knocked down" with no visible flames as fire crews worked to contain the blaze.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said the fires had burned about 600 acres. Two firefighters were treated for injuries and released from a local hospital, including one firefighter who suffered burns to his face, Romaine said. Two commercial buildings were also damaged, but no residential buildings were impacted, according to Sunderman.
Romaine said the fire was not as dangerous Sunday as it was a day earlier. He credited the 600 firefighters from more than 80 fire departments battling the blaze. He also lauded federal, state, and local authories from both major political parties for offering help and support.
National Guard helicopters were providing air support and multiple state agencies were aiding the effort, authorities added.
"This was a very big fire that could have created very big problems if not for all of us coming together," Romaine said.
Still, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services warned Sunday that wind gusts of up to 40 mph were likely, complicating efforts to completely douse the embers.
"Fire activity is ongoing in Suffolk County," the agency said in a social media post. "There is an elevated wildfire risk in several areas due to dry, windy conditions."
Gov. Kathy Hochul issues burn ban for Long Island, New York City
Following the fires, Hochul issued a burn ban on Sunday for Long Island, New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley due to the ongoing fire risk from gusty winds and lower relative humidity.
The burn ban was implemented immediately and will be in place until the annual statewide ban on residential brush burning takes effect on March 16, according to the governor's office.
The governor's office said four state National Guard helicopters had conducted 88 water drops — totaling more than 24,000 gallons — on Saturday. Another eight helicopters were on standby on Sunday to support firefighting efforts.
"New Yorkers are facing increased wildfire risks due to the combination of dry conditions and strong winds," Hochul said in a statement. "As we work tirelessly to combat the fires in Suffolk County, we must all do our part to prevent further damage. I have issued an immediate burn ban across Long Island, New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley to protect our communities, and our state resources are fully mobilized to support fire suppression efforts."
At least four fires burned Saturday
At least four brush fires ignited Saturday in the East End area of Long Island. The lingering blaze was located near the town of Westhampton.
Romaine said no cause for the fires had been determined. He said authorities were trying to determine the causes of the fires and if they were intentionally set. Authorities also said one blaze might have been responsible for all the fires because of high winds blowing burning debris.
Blaze burns at nature preserve
At least one area highway was partially shut down because of the fire. No civilian evacuations had been ordered, but Romaine said that could change if wind gusts fuel an expansion of the blaze. Some National Guard members based at Francis S. Gabreski Airport were temporarily evacuated Saturday when flames drew near, and at least two nearby buildings were damaged.
Hochul told CNN the fires are burning in a nature preserve, but firefighters feared winds could drive the fire toward populated areas. She said authorities were acutely aware of the destruction caused by the California wildfires that swept through Pacific Palisades and Altadena, killing at least 29, burning almost 60 square miles and destroying thousands of homes.
“All those images of what happened in the Palisades are so front and center in our minds,” the governor said, recalling the deadly wildfires that devastated California this year. “We need to be proactive, preventative and try to stop the worst from occurring with all the power that we have and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Budgets cut despite 'crisis situation'
Hochul said she was concerned that funding cuts at the National Fire Academy caused the cancellation of classes for first responders from across the nation. This as the severity and damage from wildfires continue to grow.
"These are the people we need on the front lines who are trained and experienced, and because of Washington budget cuts, they will not be continuing," she said. "We're in a crisis situation and the cuts (are) deeply troubling."
Suffolk County covers much of central and eastern Long Island. The New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens are on the eastern end, separated from Suffolk County by Nassau County.