Firefighters Battle Multiple Brush Fires in Eastern Long Island

Firefighters in Brookhaven, Southampton, and Riverhead are diligently tackling several significant brush fires that erupted on Saturday. Among them, four major fires ignited in eastern Long Island, one of which spans an impressive 2 miles in length and 2.5 miles in width. This inferno sent thick plumes of smoke spiraling into the sky, leading to the closure of Sunrise Highway. In response, Governor Kathy Hochul has swiftly implemented an immediate burn ban for all of Long Island.

Amanda Lefton, the acting commissioner for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, emphasized that her department is actively coordinating aerial resources to dampen the parched woodlands. The largest of these fires, located in Westhampton, has been significantly subdued, with operations focused on securing full containment. Currently, the Westhampton fire is 80% contained, and firefighting teams are persistently working to extinguish any remaining hot spots.