XPost: alt.wildland.firefighting, li.politics, alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday
afternoon as dozens of fire departments responded to Long Island's Pine
Barrens to gain control of massive brush fires fueled by strong winds.

The largest fire as of early Saturday evening was burning in Westhampton,
near Gabreski Airport, according to local authorities. An estimated 80
fire departments were said to be helping in the response.

The National Guard had also been dispatched to assist with water drops.

"This fire at its largest, which is still burning, is 2 miles long and 2.5 miles wide," County Executive Ed Romaine said at a joint press conference
held by responding agencies at 5:30 p.m. "It started in Center Moriches,
then to East Moriches, then Eastport and then Westhampton, and now the
fire is heading toward Quogue."

Reports of the first fire came around 1 p.m., but by the time of the press conference each of the locations had been extinguished except for the fire
in Westhampton. The last fire standing was roughly 50% contained,
officials said.

At least one firefighter suffered face burns and had to be transported to
Stony Brook Hospital. The extent of their injuries was not immediately
known.

Police said portions of Sunrise Highway had to be closed due to their
proximity to the roadway. The highway was closed in both directions past
Exit 58, according to traffic officials.

"Our biggest problem is the wind. It is going, as you can feel out here,
about 30-35 miles an hour," Romaine said.

There were no threats to any homes or other residential structures as of Saturday evening. Officials at the press conference reminded locals that
if that changed, people would receive door knocks or phone calls to notify
them of evacuation orders.

Two commercial structures did, however, suffer some damage but
firefighters were able to knock down the flames before either were
destroyed.

New York's governor said her office was in communication with local
agencies to assist with any resources needed to fight the fires.

“I am issuing a State of Emergency as Suffolk County fights brush fires in
the Pine Barrens. I have spoken to @ExecEdRomaine and offered any
necessary State resources," Hochul said on the platform X.

County officials did not expect fire crews to have the last fire out until Sunday morning.

Here is the local radar indicating a couple of smoke plumes from small
scale fires (radar imagery through 2:55 pm). A NW wind has the plumes
blowing offshore further downstream. #nycwx #nywx #liwx pic.twitter.com/kW5XZoHse2

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/long-island/long-island-sunrise-highway-brush- fires/6178630/

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