Empire State Review Team 
Investigation Underway Following Brush Fires on Long Island
LONG ISLAND – Authorities in Suffolk County are currently investigating the cause of several brush fires that erupted over the weekend, resulting in injuries to two firefighters and scorched hundreds of acres.
Brush Fire Origin and Developments
According to Suffolk County Police, the fires began after a homeowner’s attempt to cook s’mores went awry. On Saturday morning, the individual struggled to ignite a fire due to high winds and resorted to setting cardboard ablaze, which ignited the backyard and potentially led to the brush fires.
While the backyard fire was extinguished by approximately 10:30 a.m., the first brush fire was reported at 12:57 p.m., only around an eighth of a mile from the initial incident.
Fire Containment Status
By Sunday, emergency crews had successfully contained the last of the four brush fires that flared up near the Hamptons. However, firefighters continued to monitor the situation in Westhampton to extinguish any lingering hotspots, a precaution warranted by the dry and windy climate conditions.
Impact of the Fires
The series of fires ignited around 1 p.m. on Saturday, fueled by gusty winds and low humidity, quickly covering over 600 acres. Fortunately, no residential homes were damaged; however, several commercial properties sustained significant harm.
Regarding the injured firefighters, both have been treated and discharged from the hospital. The plumes of dense black smoke rising from the blazes were reportedly visible as far away as Connecticut.
State of Emergency and Investigation Updates
In response to the situation, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for Suffolk County and imposed a burn ban throughout the area. This ban, which remains in effect until March 16, prohibits all outdoor fires, including those for cooking, except for smaller fire pits with a diameter of less than three feet.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Officials have emphasized that they have not ruled out human causation, especially since no lightning strikes occurred in the region at the time. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina stated, “We have 25 detectives that are working on trying to determine the origin of the fire,” adding that aerial surveillance is being utilized to aid the investigation.
Resources and Further Information
For ongoing updates and information about active wildfires, the following resources can be access:
Weather Outlook
Looking ahead, Monday’s weather is expected to be clear and sunny, with temperatures reaching around 61°F, accompanied by a light west wind.
