Long Island fires likely caused by person making backyard s'mores, authorities say
The wildfires that broke out over the weekend on New York's Long Island, scorching hundreds of acres, are believed to have been caused by a resident making s'mores in a backyard, authorities said Monday.
According to Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, the current "operating theory" is that the fires were sparked accidentally in a backyard in the hamlet of Manorville near Sunrise Highway. A resident attempted to make s'mores and used cardboard to light up the fire.
Detectives suspect that strong winds on Saturday quickly spread embers from the backyard fire, which ignited several blazes in eastern Long Island, Catalina added. Twenty-five detectives are still investigating the cause of the fires. The investigation involves drones, helicopters, and a review of everyone who called 911 about the blazes, Catalina said.
"Our investigation is pointing strongly towards an accidental origin for Saturday's fires," Catalina asserted during a news conference Monday afternoon. "We still have a couple of things to do. We want to interview every 911 caller. We want to run down every crime stopper's lead — just to rule every possibility out."
At least four wildfires erupted, burning an estimated 600 acres. By Sunday evening, the largest of the wildfires, which burned in the Pine Barrens, was 100% contained and other fires were under control, authorities added.
On Monday, authorities confirmed that the fires were completely contained with a hard line. Amanda Lefton, the acting commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, said crews will continue to patrol over the next few days to prevent any spot fires.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and implemented a burn ban for Long Island.
"The New York State burn ban, which generally takes into effect on March 16, takes effect immediately on places like Long Island, where we're seeing a heightened risk of fire," Lefton said. "Make sure that you are complying with that burn ban. Make sure that we are really minimizing our risk of fire as we continue to see high winds, relatively low humidity and other conditions that make this region a little bit more prone to the fire risk."
Long Island authorities offer preliminary timeline of fires
During Monday's news conference, Catalina provided a preliminary timeline for the suspected cause of the fires.
Detectives believe that the initial fire started at around 9:30 a.m. Saturday when a person in Manorville was trying to make s’mores, according to Catalina. The police commissioner said the person was initially unable to light a fire due to the winds.
The person then used cardboard to spark the fire, which caused the backyard area to erupt in flames, Catalina said. That fire was extinguished at about 10:30 a.m.
But a few hours later, shortly before 1 p.m., Catalina said authorities received a fire report on the south side of Sunrise Highway — less than a quarter mile from the backyard fire. Catalina added that two other fires were later reported.
"If you remember that day, the wind was blowing very strongly from the northwest, so that path makes perfect sense," Catalina said. "It is believed that the embers from each fire traveled and continuously started more fires."
Authorities previously said two firefighters were injured while battling the blazes, including one firefighter who suffered burns to his face. Two commercial buildings were also damaged, but no residential buildings were impacted.
South Carolina authorities arrest suspect accused of igniting wildfire
Elsewhere, authorities in South Carolina arrested a woman they say started a blaze that triggered evacuations and consumed more than 2,000 acres near Myrtle Beach.
Alexandra Bialousow, 40, of Myrtle Beach, faces two charges related to accusations that she did not take proper precautions while burning debris in her backyard and negligently allowed the fire to spread well past her property line, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
The commission said witnesses reported seeing Bialousow start a fire without "an appropriate water source readily available" and without "any garden tools on hand to control the fire." As of Sunday, the fire was 55% contained, the commission confirmed.
Nearly 85% of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans, whether unknowingly or intentionally, according to the National Parks Service. Common causes include leaving campfires unattended, burning debris, negligently discarding a cigarette, or committing arson.
Red flag warnings active across the central U.S.
Much of the central U.S., including swaths of the northern Plains and parts of southern New Mexico, were under red flag warnings Monday amid high winds, above-average temperatures, and low humidity.
The National Weather Service warned that winds as high as 65 mph in some parts of the Plains region, including the Dakotas, could quickly spread wildfires across dry lands. Much of the central U.S. is experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The advisories also come as the Plains and Midwest regions experience warmer temperatures than usual, with daily highs up to 20 degrees above average for this time of year.
"Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread," said the weather service in Boulder, Colorado. "Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire."