LI Brush Fires 100% Knocked Down, 22% Contained: FRES

WESTHAMPTON, NY — A raging wildfire in Westhampton has been fully knocked down, officials said Sunday morning.

"The fire is 100 percent knocked down and is 22 percent contained," said Rudy Sunderman, commissioner of Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services at a media briefing held at Gabreski Airport Sunday. "We are working on containment at this time alongside the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, the NYC Department of Environmental Conservation, and Suffolk County FRES."

Sunderman said about 600 firefighters and emergency personnel battled the blaze.

All agreed that Sunday's high winds and hotspots could lead to another blaze; rangers were seen dousing small fires that broke out Sunday.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said the fire, now called the "Westhampton Pines Fire," had encompassed 600 to 700 acres and brought back memories of the 1995 Pine Barrens fires that blazed for more than a week. Those fires, however, jumped the Sunrise Highway — something Saturday's blaze did not do and for that, Romaine credited the 90 fire and EMT departments, all volunteers, who'd turned out in force to prevent the spread of the fire. "We have so much gratitude," he said. Firefighters worked throughout the night Saturday, he said.

Two firefighters were injured, one with burns to the face, but both are home recovering now, Romaine said.

Westhampton Beach Fire Department 2nd Assistant Chief Lewis Scott said, of two commercial buildings damaged, one sustained "significant" damage and the other was "pretty much fully destroyed."

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said if the winds had headed southwest, the fires could have spread toward populated areas with homes and businesses. "It would have been a very different fire," he said.

The downed trees in the area "fed the fire," Romaine said.

Romaine also noted that so often, people are "so focused on the issues" confronting the nation, they forget that in times of crisis, "we can come together."

When the fires broke out Saturday, Romaine said he had calls from both sides of the political aisle, including outreach from President Donald Trump, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Sunday's results, Romaine said, "shows us we can do it, if we work together."

Rep. Nick LaLota added: "What a difference a day makes." LaLota said as the fires raged, "the nation was looking at us," with calls coming in from across the country. He, too, said the efforts crossed all party lines as all united to extinguish the blaze; he credited the firefighters and response agencies.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said 25 detectives were investigating the cause of the blaze. He said the detectives are investigating every 911 call and utilizing drones in the effort. When asked if that fact that there were four separate fires that broke out at around the same time could indicate arson, Catalina said the high winds could have caused the fire to spread. He added, though, that all avenues are being investigated.

Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore said emergency crews resumed operations Sunday to address the brush fires. "We are happy to report that other than some small hotspots there is no significant visible fire," she said. "There are hotspots and smoldering areas being addressed and emergency management is utilizing drones and air assets to identify these areas to direct response. All roads are currently open."

Residents are asked to stay tuned to updates; an outdoor recreational fire ban and state of emergency are still in effect, Moore said.

Acting NYS DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said the Pine Barrens by nature are "fire-dependent" and should regenerate quickly; she added due to the wind, so far, air quality has not been an issue.

She and the county executive discussed southern pine beetles. While she said they did not directly contribute to the brush fires this time, Romaine said they post a major concern and lead to hundreds of trees being cut down. "They're killing the Pine Barrens; it's a grave concern," he said.

As of Sunday morning, there are "six fire departments out, EMS crews on standby, and Suffolk County agencies working with the state departments," Sunderman told Patch.

Moore said as of Saturday night, the fires were 80 percent extinguished. On Sunday, she said, "The goal for today is to make sure we are 100 percent contained and also 100 percent extinguished. Crews are going out now to work on containing the fire using bulldozers and payloaders to encircle the fire areas and create fire breaks."

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in response to the brush fires that raged in Suffolk County Saturday.

As of Saturday night, she said, more than 30 fire companies continued to battle the blaze.

"At the governor’s direction, the New York National Guard has four helicopters performing water drops, and a C-130 is supporting aerial monitoring. Additionally, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control has opened the state fire operations center and activated the state’s fire mobilization and mutual aid plan to support any resource requests from local fire departments. Numerous other state agencies are providing support via drones, traffic management and personnel as well," a release from Hochul's office said.

Forecasts indicate isolated wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour through Sunday evening; gusts decreased slightly overnight to approximately 25 miles per hours before they were slated to pick up again on Sunday morning, at up to 40 miles per hour, Hochul said.

"We are deploying resources as quickly as possible, and I have mobilized our agencies, the National Guard and the State Police to provide air and ground support to ensure we keep our Long Islanders safe," Hochul said. "I’ve declared a state of emergency to secure resources immediately. This is an evolving situation, and air quality is a concern — New Yorkers need to monitor the latest emergency alerts and prepare to evacuate if necessary."

To that end, Hochul said she was shipping 100,000 N95 masks Sunday.

State stockpiles are staffed and ready to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed, Hochul said.

In addition, she said, three UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters had been deployed by the New York Army National Guards — a company of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation based in Ronkonkoma. The aircrafts are deploying firefighting buckets carrying 660 gallons of water, she said.

An HH-60 W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter from the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing — based at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base — was also flying water bucket missions, Hochul said.

The 106th Rescue Wing’s base fire department deployed two fire trucks and personnel. Since the fire was near the base, airmen and civilians were evacuated Saturday as a precautionary measure. The 106th fire department first responded to the fire at 1:30 p.m.

New York State Police unmanned aerial system "drone" teams will be providing support to fire crews by monitoring the spread of the fires and any structures that may be impacted, Hochul said. Troopers are also providing assistance with road closures and traffic control.

DEC forest rangers are on scene to assist with fire response and coordination with Westhampton incident command, Hochul said.

Additional rangers have been providing assistance with firefighting efforts and coordination with aviation bucket drops, and additional resources are being staged for deployment as needed. DEC is also encouraging all New Yorkers to remain vigilant during the current windy weather to help prevent wildfires.

In addition, New York State Park police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring conditions. Staff are on fire watch at Wildwood, Brookhaven, Hither Hills and Napeague State Parks. Park police are assisting with traffic control along Sunrise Highway. Regional emergency management staff are assisting at the command post.

Hochul offered safety recommendations to reduce potential smoke exposure in the immediate area of the fires:

- Be aware of your air: Before heading out to work, exercise or to the park with the kids, check the AQI forecast and adjust your outdoor activities if there is poor air quality. Plan ahead by signing up for email air quality alerts.

- Stay inside: Keep windows and doors closed to keep indoor air clean. If smoke gets inside, buy or make your own portable air cleaner to reduce particles indoors, or use HEPA air filters in your HVAC system.

- Wear a mask: If you must go out, a properly worn N95 mask can filter out large smoke particles, reducing the amount of PM you breathe in.

- For people who spend time outdoors, when air quality is unhealthy, wearing a well-fitting face mask is recommended. A N95 or KN95 will work best. To check your location's current air quality, click here.

- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities that may cause you to breathe heavier.

- Protect the vulnerable: Caretakers of children, the elderly and those with asthma should be especially careful. When the AQI is elevated, be sure to limit their outdoor activities to keep them safe.

- Take care of four-legged friends: Keep outdoor trips with your pet brief and low-key to protect them from the same nose, eye, throat and lung irritation people experience.

As of Saturday at 7:30 p.m. the brush fires that raced across Long Island due to high winds were 80 percent contained, Moore told Patch.

"Each Black Hawk is able to dump 660 gallons of water, so that's part of why we've been able to get some control; but again, the control we have right now may not hold, and that is what we're focusing on, on the overnight," Hochul said Saturday night.

A total of 90 fire departments and EMS units responded to the raging brush fires on Long Island Saturday, with one firefighter hospitalized with burns to the face, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said.

Romaine, at a press event in Westhampton Beach, thanked all fire departments as well as elected officials across Long Island and the state who responded.

It is not yet clear how the fire started, officials said.

"Our problem is the wind, it's driving this fire," Romaine said. He said the fire started about 1 p.m. in Center Moriches and then broke out into a major event near Gabreski Airport, where it "jumped the road" County Road 31, north of Gabreski Airport, and continued to head east, still burning, toward Quogue.

The fire was not yet contained in Westhampton, Romaine said, and with the high winds, just a spark could mean even greater spread. He said it was likely firefighting efforts would continue for hours through the night and possibly into Sunday. "The winds will keep the embers alive — and we have to worry every day."

One firefighter was injured with second-degree burns to the face; he was transported to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Romaine said.

Also onhand were Southampton Town Supervisor Moore, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, and Rudy Sunderman, commissioner of the Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, as well as local county legislators.
Moore said a burn ban was issued right after the fire started.

Schiavoni thanked the first responders from all over Long Island. "It's a serious situation."

Panico added: "This is a coordinated effort to make sure this doesn't turn into 1995. This is not going to become the fire of 1995."

The 1995 Pine Barrens wildfires took days to extinguish.

Sunderman said the brush fire started at about 1 p.m. and there were four separate fires, in Center Moriches, East Moriches, Eastport, and Westhampton. At the 5:30 p.m. press event, the fire was about 50 percent contained in Westhampton and all the other fires were extinguished, he said. 90

departments were working to extinguish the blaze, he said. Two commercial structures were damaged, at Gabreski and County Road 31, he said. Those structures were burnt out but not burned down, Romaine said.

The fires came right up to Sunrise Highway but did not cross over, Romaine said.

Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan said as of Saturday night, there were no residents in line of fire, but that was being monitored by air. "You will know by telephone, by knocks on your door, if that changes."

Some residents, including East Quogue resident Kathy Tureski, took precautions: "We're packed in case we get word about evacuation," she said, adding that the road behind her home was closed and firefighters were using the hydrants to fill their trucks.

Massive, billowing clouds of smoke could be seen from as far away as the North Fork, the Hudson Valley and Connecticut Saturday afternoon as multiple brush fires broke out in the Westhampton area— with some evacuations taking place near the Gabreski air base.

According to Moore, the fires "are not yet contained, but are being actively extinguished."

The fires, she said, as of just after 4 p.m., were "2 miles long and 1/4 mile wide — and moving east."

Some evacuations were ordered in the Hampton West community near the air base, she said.

The Air National Guard was dropping water on the multiple fires being worked, she said.

Moore said she also issued a state of emergency "to ensure that our town has the full resources necessary to support the emergency response to the wildfires our brave fire personnel are battling. Our top priority is the safety of our residents, first responders, and all those in the affected areas.

The supervisor said she has been in contact with Romaine and Hochul, "and we are mobilizing an all-of-government response to contain the fire. State, county and local agencies are working in full coordination to deploy the necessary resources, equipment and personnel to protect lives and property."

She added: "We are fortunate to have veteran firefighters among us who fought the 1995 fires. Their experience, training and dedication are invaluable in the fight, and we stand in full support of their efforts. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all firefighters, emergency responders, and volunteers who are working tirelessly to bring this fire under control."

Moore urged all residents to stay informed, follow emergency instructions, and prioritize safety. She said the town would provide updates as the situation develops "and we appreciate the community's cooperation during this critical time."

Hochul called in the National Guard to help, she said: "Minutes ago, I spoke with County Executive Ed Romaine about the brush fire in the Pine Barrens and informed him that the State of New York is here to provide any resources and support he needs. The New York National Guard has already begun providing air support by helicopter and is coordinating with local law enforcement. I have also deployed personnel from the Office of Emergency Management, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Parks and the New York State Police to assist Suffolk County’s response to this crisis. Public safety is my top priority, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe."

The fires sparked road closures, According to Southampton Town police, Sunrise Highway east of Exit 62 was closed down due to multiple brush fires Speonk-Riverhead Road was also closed due to the brush fires.A representative for Ed Romaine said the closures on Sunrise Highway begin at Exit 58.

"Please stay clear of the areas," police said. "Additional road closures may occur due to the ever-changing situation."

Residents have been describing the situation on social media, some worried about their homes, some reporting that the fire had "jumped" Old Riverhead Road.

High winds whipped the area Saturday; Long Island was under a wind advisory until 6 p.m. with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour forecast.