Crews make progress on wind-fueled wildfires on Long Island, but risks remain

Firefighters on New York’s Long Island were gaining control of a wind-driven brush fire in the Pine Barrens on Sunday, hours 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 three were doused by Sunday afternoon. Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman said in a news briefing Sunday that the remaining fire was 100% “knocked down” − no visible flames − and 22% contained within fire lines.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said the fire had burned about 5 square miles. Two firefighters were treated for injuries and released from a local hospital, including one firefighter who suffered burns to his face, Romaine said.

Romaine said the fire was not as dangerous Sunday at 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 said.

“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 flames.

“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.”

At least four fires burned Saturday

At least four brush fires ignited Saturday on the East End area of Long Island. The lingering blaze was located near the town of Westhampton.

Romaine told News 12 that no cause for the fires had been determined. He said an arson investigation was underway and that the fire marshal and arson squad are checking cameras in the area, including drones, and investigating evidence trying to determine whether the fires were intentionally set. But authorities said Sunday it was possible that one blaze was responsible for all the fires because of high winds blowing burning debris.

Palisades, Eaton fires 100% contained: California blazes finally extinguished

No evacuations ordered

At least one area highway was partially shut down because of the fire. No evacuations had been ordered, but Romaine said that could change if wind gusts fuel an epansion of the blaze. At least two buildings were damaged.

Hochul told CNN the fires are burning in a nature preserve, but that firefighters feared winds could drive the fire toward populated areas. She said authorities were acutely aware of the destruction cause 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.”

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.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crews make progress on wind-fueled fires on Long Island; risks remain