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New York Gov. Hochul declares state of emergency as Long Island brush fires burn along Sunrise Highway toward East End
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency as brush fires continued to burn along Sunrise Highway toward East End, Long Island, on Saturday.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency as brush fires continued to burn along Sunrise Highway toward East End, Long Island, on Saturday, News 12 reported. The blaze broke out in Pine Barrens, closing the roadway from Exit 55 to Westhampton Beach.
Providing an update on the situation, Gov Hochul wrote on X, “New York State agencies are responding to a brush fire in the Pine Barrens. We are in close communication with local partners on Long Island to coordinate assistance and make sure they have the resources they need to protect their communities."
Photos and videos shared on social media show the fires ripping through part of Long Island.
While the exact extent of the fire’s spread is unknown, experts believe that weather conditions may have contributed to the severity of the blaze.
Bryan Ramsey, a meteorologist, told Newsday: “The main reason for the risk is just because we have some pretty strong winds coming in from the northwest, gusting up to 35 miles per hour.”
“Whenever you tie that in with low humidity it can lead to an elevated risk for fire spread. We’ll have a minimum humidity around 30 percent. So, we urge people to use extreme caution with potential ignition sources,” Ramsey added.
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Southampton Town Police said Sunrise Highway east of Exit 62 and Speonk Riverhead Road have been shut down as a result of the fire.
“Please stay clear of the areas,” Detective Sgt. Gina Laferrera told Greater Long Island. “Additional road closures may occur due to the ever changing situation.”
