Updated: 9:50 p.m. — The fire was declared under control by a Riverhead Fire Department chief at 9:27 p.m. Firefighters are continuing “mop-up” operations and will likely be released from the scene soon.
Original post: Firefighters are back at the scene of an earlier brush fire in Baiting Hollow tonight working to knock down a flare-up in the woods on the bluff east of Friar’s Head golf course.
A large, wind-driven brush fire there that began during the overnight hours Saturday took more than 120 firefighters about 10 hours to put out and burned about 20 acres of woodlands.
Tonight at about 7:35 p.m., Riverhead Police, responding to a report of the smell of smoke in the area, observed fire on the ground in the woods and notified the Riverhead Fire Department.
Riverhead firefighters responded back to the scene with brush trucks and a tanker and immediately called neighboring departments for assistance with firefighting operations. Neighboring fire departments were also called to stand by at RFD headquarters.
Firefighters quickly got ahead of the fire and are soaking the area to eliminate hot spots in the hope of avoiding additional re-ignition overnight.
Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps and other EMS agencies have responded to the scene where they are standing by to treat any injuries.
Suffolk County Police Aviation was requested to assist in locating areas where the fire may have reignited.
Windy conditions are expected to persist during the overnight hours with northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph gusting up to 20 mph, the National Weather Service said. Gusty winds will continue on Sunday, shifting to the southwest. Relative humidity has risen somewhat — it is currently 52%—according to the weather service.
There is elevated risk for fire spread Sunday afternoon, with windy weather, dry fuels and relative humidity of 30 to 40%, the weather service said in a statement.
Showers are expected Sunday night into Monday morning, and could bring the first measurable rainfall to the area since Oct. 8.
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