NEW YORK — Wildfires erupted Saturday afternoon in the Hamptons as ferocious winds and dry weather allowed one fire to persist, according to Long Island officials.
Four fires had swiftly developed over an area approximately 3 miles by 1 mile near Westhampton alongside a New York highway, officials from Suffolk County reported. The blaze resulted in the closure of a segment of the Sunrise Highway and a nearby service road, as shared by the state Department of Transportation via social media. This vicinity is in New York’s Hamptons region, located on the eastern tip of Long Island. The cause of the fires remains unclear.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a state of emergency. In her statement, she mentioned that the state National Guard is providing aerial support via helicopter and collaborating with local law enforcement.
“The winds will keep the embers active, and we must remain vigilant every day as this fire may reignite,” County Supervisor Ed Romaine remarked during a news briefing.
At least two commercial structures experienced partial burns, including one nearby the Francis S. Gabreski county airport, according to Rudy Sunderman, commissioner of the Suffolk County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services, during a news briefing. One firefighter sustained facial burns and was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital’s Burn Center on Long Island.
As of Saturday evening, three of the fires had been extinguished, while one fire was reported to be 50% contained, Sunderman indicated. There was no estimate available for when containment of the fire would be achieved.
Officials stated there is currently no danger to homes in the area. Smoke billowed for miles, and the fires approached roads and motorists, as shared in social media images.
In a local emergency declaration, Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore noted that dry conditions and low humidity, coupled with damage to forests inflicted by a southern pine beetle infestation, are greatly “exacerbating the conditions for perilous wildfires.”
“These conditions pose a threat to the safety of the residents of the Town of Southampton due to these active wildfires and the ongoing heightened risk of severe wildfires in our area,” she explained.
Early Saturday morning, the National Weather Service office in New York issued a warning regarding an elevated fire risk. On social media, NWS indicated that low humidity levels and wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph “will enhance the risk of fire spread.” They urged “extreme caution” with any potential ignition sources, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. “Any fires may disseminate rapidly.”
While the Long Island blaze was igniting Saturday afternoon, New York City firefighters responded to a brush fire engulfing a waterfront area in Brooklyn, nearly 70 miles west of the Long Island incident. Fire engines, boats, and a helicopter were deployed to extinguish the blaze, as reported by the FDNY via email.
In an interview with News 12, Gov. Hochul raised concerns regarding air quality as well.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
