Brush fires continue on Long Island as winds complicate firefighting efforts

7 hrs ago

Diane Duenez Weekend Managing Editor

By Diane Duenez (Weekend Managing Editor)

One brush fire remains uncontrolled on Long Island amid high winds. Meanwhile, three other fires have been contained.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has activated the Air National Guard to assist with firefighting efforts.
At least two commercial buildings have been damaged, and one firefighter has been hospitalized with burns.

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At least one brush fire continues to burn out of control on Long Island, with high wind gusts complicating firefighters’ efforts Sunday, March 9. A Suffolk County spokesperson told the Associated Press that three fires have been contained.

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On Saturday, March 8, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency, activating the Air National Guard. “We’re in a better place than two hours ago, but we’re not out of the woods. This is an evolving, ever-changing situation,” she told CNN.

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Hochul noted that four Blackhawk helicopters were dropping 660 gallons of water to help control the fires, adding, “The control we have may not hold.”

The governor said crews from multiple state agencies, including transportation and fire prevention, have been deployed to assist with Suffolk County’s response.

At least two commercial buildings were damaged, and one firefighter was flown to a hospital with facial burns on Saturday.

The New York Post reports that the flames shut down a major route to the Hamptons and led to some evacuations.

Officials say there is no immediate evidence of arson. Residents told the New York Post that one fire began after a car accident on Sunrise Highway, where a vehicle caught fire.