Update: Pine barrens wildfire in Westhampton 80% contained, arson squad investigating cause of blaze

(Update: March 9, 7 a.m.) Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said last night the wildfire in Westhampton is nearly 80% contained. Helicopters and drones were monitoring the area for hot spots flaring up, he said, according to a report on 27East.com. The county arson squad is investigating the cause of the blaze, Romaine said. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who declared a state of emergency yesterday is expected to visit the scene today, Romaine said.

(Update: March 8, 6:30 p.m.) Fire departments from across Suffolk, including the departments that protect Riverhead township, are battling multiple wind-driven brush fires in the pine barrens along Sunrise Highway this afternoon.

Eastbound Sunrise Highway is closed between William Floyd Parkway and County Road 51. Speonk Riverhead Road is also closed due to the brush fires, Southampton Town Police said.

The wildfire is burning in an area of the pine barrens north of Sunrise Highway, off Old Riverhead Road (County Road 31) west of Gabreski Airport.

More than 70 fire departments and 20 EMS agencies responded to the fires, County Executive Ed Romaine said this evening.

There were four separate wildfires burning today, Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Rudy Sunderman said this evening: Center Moriches, East Moriches, Eastport and Westhampton. The first brush fire report came in at about 1 p.m., he said.

Westhampton was the only wildfire still burning as of 5:30 p.m., Sunderman said during a press conference called by the county executive outside the Westhampton Beach Fire Department headquarters.

The fire in Westhampton is about 50% contained, Sunderman said. It was not yet under control as of the 5:30 p.m. press conference, Romaine said. It likely would not be under control for several more hours or until tomorrow, he said.

The fire damaged two commerical structures, one at Gabreski Airport and another on Couty Road 31, Romaine said.

One firefighter suffered second-degree burns to his face and was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment at the hospital’s burn unit, Romaine said.

The Town of Southampton immediately issued a “burn ban” Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore said.  The town also issued a state of emergency. Moore urged residents to stay informed and obey instructions from emergency services.

Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan said no residents are currently in danger. “You will know by telephone or a knock on your door,” the chief said.

The 106th Rescue Wing Fire Department responded to the fire at approximately 1:30 p.m., according to a press release from the 106th. 

Two base fire trucks, along with additional fire departments from the surrounding area, have been deployed to contain the blaze, and an HH-60G Jolly Green II helicopter is also assisting in the response, the release said. The 106th Rescue Wing initiated an evacuation of personnel from the base at 1:45 p.m. as a precautionary measure, the 106th said in the release,

Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement just before 5 p.m. that she had just spoken with the Suffolk County executive about the brush fire and offered whatever help local firefighters need.

“The New York National Guard has already begun providing air support by helicopter and is coordinating with local law enforcement,” Hochul said. “I have also deployed personnel from the Office of Emergency Management, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Parks and the New York State Police to assist Suffolk County’s response to this crisis. Public safety is my top priority, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe.”

Smoke plume visible for miles

A massive dark smoke plume rising on the southern horizon  was visible for miles all over the region shortly before 1:30 this afternoon.

Long Island, along with New York City, northern New Jersey and portions of southern Connecticut are at an elevated risk for fire spread today, due to low relative humidity and strong winds gusting to 35 mph.