NEW YORK – Fast-spreading brush fires, driven by intense winds, tore through extensive land areas on Long Island, New York, on Saturday. This led to the heavy infusion of gray smoke into the atmosphere and sparked the evacuation of a military base along with the temporary shutdown of a primary highway. Governor Kathy Hochul imposed a state of emergency, noting that various state agencies were engaged in battling the fires around the Pine Barrens. This wooded stretch, housing communities that commute from New York City, was placed on high alert as homes, a chemical plant, and an Amazon distribution center faced possible danger. Hochul emphasized that more evacuations might be warranted.
“This situation remains uncontrolled as of now,” Hochul shared with Long Island’s News 12. “We have residents being evacuated from the Westhampton vicinity.” Authorities confirmed that while three of the four blazes were fully contained, the fire in Westhampton was only about 50% under control. Fortunately, no homes were immediately threatened, though two commercial properties suffered partial damage.
A firefighter had to be airlifted to the hospital due to facial burns, highlighting the perilous conditions firefighters are navigating. The main challenge, as Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine pointed out, is the wind which continues to fuel the inferno. Dramatic social media clips depicted high-reaching flames and thick plumes of smoke towering over busy roads.
In response, Air National Guard helicopters were deployed to drop water over the raging fires. Given the high wildfire risk, Southampton officials cautioned residents against starting recreational fires. This warning came as social media videos started circulating online.
A statement from Governor Hochul outlined that the National Guard was actively supporting state efforts through aerial assistance and joint operations with local police. “Keeping Long Islanders safe is my utmost concern,” Hochul reaffirmed.
While speaking to News 12, Hochul refrained from quantifying the extent of the fires, admitting only that they were expanding quickly. Satellite data suggested that the flames and smoke spanned approximately 2.5 miles (3 kilometers) alongside Sunrise Highway, according to NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System.
Law enforcement closed portions of the highway, a significant route leading to Long Island’s East End. The fires erupted in proximity to Francis S. Gabreski Airport, which served as a launch point for at least one National Guard helicopter. One notably affected commercial building was close to the airport itself. As a precaution, personnel were ordered to evacuate the base starting at about 1:45 p.m., according to spokesperson Cheran Cambell.
