Brush fires erupt in New York amid strong winds
Brush fires have erupted in Long Island and near Brooklyn as strong winds in New York created an elevated risk of fire spread Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
A special weather statement was active Saturday in New York City and Long Island, where a combination of “low relative humidity values near 30 percent and northwest winds gusting 30 to 35 mph” can potentially make fires spread quickly, the weather service said.
The region impacted by the elevated fire risk — southeastern New York state, northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut — includes Long Island and all five of New York City’s boroughs.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday in Long Island’s Suffolk County amid brush fires in the Pine Barrens, she said on X.
Hochul said in a separate statement late Saturday afternoon that she offered the executive of Suffolk County, Ed Romaine, “any resources and support he needs.”
New York National Guard helicopter crews were assigned to help firefighters on the ground, and state agencies have also responded to the wildfires, she said.
“I’m committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe,” she said in her statement Saturday.
Suffolk County fires
Romaine said at an early evening news conference that his county was the site of four wildfires, three of which are fully contained and one, in Westampton, with 50% containment.
The largest of the four was described by Romaine as 2 miles long and more than 2 miles wide.
Two people sustained injuries, and two structures were damaged, he said. One of the injured was described as a firefighter who sustained second-degree burns on his face, he said.
The firefighter was being treated at a burn center. His condition was unavailable.
