New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Saturday following multiple wind-driven brush fires in Long Island, which produced significant smoke plumes and led to the closure of a highway.

Suffolk County fire crews responded to at least three major brush fires on the East End, as reported by county executive Ed Romaine. The New York Department of Transportation confirmed that a section of Sunrise Highway has been shut down due to the fires.

As of Saturday evening, there were no evacuation orders in place, and no residents were directly threatened by the flames. However, at least two structures have been destroyed, and firefighting teams faced challenges from strong winds while trying to contain the blazes.

One fire affected a structure near Francis S. Gabreski Airport, prompting precautionary evacuations starting around 1:45 p.m., according to a spokesperson.

“We’re in a better position now, but we remain very concerned about the overnight conditions and increasing winds,” Hochul commented on Saturday. “This could extend over several days.”

The fires are currently burning in a nature preserve. However, Hochul warned that it wouldn’t take much for them to spread to populated areas. The community of Riverhead is located just three miles away.

Reminiscent Of West Coast Woes

“All those images of the devastating wildfires in California this year are fresh in our minds,” the governor remarked. She emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent a similar disaster. “We are committed to doing everything in our power to avert the worst outcomes.”

One firefighter has been hospitalized with second-degree burns to the face. However, according to Romaine, no other injuries have been reported.

Suffolk County spokesperson Michael Martino remarked on a fire in Westhampton. It was initially estimated to cover about 3 miles by 1 mile, was approximately 70% contained by Saturday night.

“Our biggest challenge is the wind, which is fueling this fire,” Romaine said during a Saturday news conference, removing his hat to prevent it from blowing away.

Radar images from the National Weather Service showed smoke plumes from several small fires. The agency had issued warnings about elevated fire risks in New York. It is due to low humidity and wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph.

“We are prepared for this situation, with 80 agencies and firefighting crews actively working to establish a wet line, which is our best defense against the fire’s spread,” Hochul noted. This highlighting concerns about increased winds overnight and the potential impact on air quality.

Efforts to control the fires and prevent their spread are expected to continue into Sunday, Romaine indicated.

Hochul mentioned that she is relying on state funds to address the brush fires. She is “not counting on the federal government” due to budget cuts.

She added that crews from various state agencies have been deployed to assist Suffolk County in managing the fires. These agencies include transportation and fire prevention departments.

“The New York National Guard has already begun providing aerial support via helicopter and is coordinating with local law enforcement,” Hochul stated.

Smoke enveloping entire neighborhoods

Over 50 deputy sheriffs are on the ground in Suffolk to protect against the brush fires, says Sheriff Errol D. Toulon.

The events on Saturday brought back memories of the 1995 Sunrise Fire. A fire which scorched over 5,000 acres of the Pine Barrens nature preserve. This displaced hundreds of residents, as noted by the Long Island Pine Barrens Society.

“We are united in this effort, and that’s why this will not become the fire of ’95, thanks to the dedicated individuals standing behind me and those bravely fighting this blaze,” said Brookhaven town supervisor Dan Panico during a news conference.

Around 1 PM Saturday, Suffolk County resident Lauren Stiles reported that her family began to smell smoke inside their home. Upon investigating outside, they discovered that their entire neighborhood was shrouded in smoke.

Unable to determine the source, they decided to drive around for a better view. They headed north on County Route 51. They stopped at a sod farm in East Northport, where they realized that multiple neighborhoods were affected by smoke.

“As I was filming, I didn’t realize I had captured at least three separate smoke plumes, as I only noticed two at the time,” Stiles commented.

Stiles expressed her appreciation for the volunteer firefighters. Those who operate nearly all of the 179 fire departments on the island, according to the governor.

“We are incredibly grateful to Long Island’s volunteer firefighters for keeping our communities safe,” Stiles said.