New York Governor Issues State of Emergency Due to Brush Fires
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to wear N95 masks when going outdoors.
The Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, has declared a state of emergency in Suffolk County to allocate resources aimed at controlling several brush fires that ignited on Saturday and continued to spread due to strong winds.
“I’ve declared a state of emergency to gain immediate access to resources. This situation is developing, and air quality levels are concerning—New Yorkers should keep an eye on the latest emergency alerts and prepare to evacuate if needed.”
Suffolk County spans nearly 2,400 square miles and is situated in the central and eastern regions of Long Island in southeastern New York State, with a population of approximately 1.5 million.
A major highway has been closed, and a military base was evacuated due to the fires, which also posed a threat to a chemical plant and an Amazon warehouse.
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Officials reported that three of the four fires are completely under control, with the fire in Westhampton currently 50% contained. Two commercial structures have sustained partial damage, but residences remain safe from harm.
One firefighter has been transported to a hospital for treatment of facial burns.
“The primary challenge we face is the wind,” stated Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “It’s fueling this fire.”
According to Hochul, wind speeds are projected to stay around 40 miles per hour until Sunday evening.
The governor urged residents to lessen their exposure to smoke by staying informed about air quality at home and work. To help preserve indoor air quality, individuals should keep windows shut and use air purifiers and filtration systems.
If individuals must go outside, they are encouraged to wear N95 or KN95 masks to minimize smoke inhalation, particularly children, the elderly, and those with asthma, according to the guidelines.
Residents are advised to stay updated with the news for the latest information.
In preparation for emergencies, over 30 firefighting units have been activated, along with four helicopters from the New York National Guard. A C-130 military plane is conducting aerial surveillance of the fires in coordination with drones from other state agencies.
A state fire operations center has been established, and the state’s Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan has been activated to reinforce firefighting efforts.
Satellite imagery suggested that the fire and smoke extended approximately 2.5 miles along Sunrise Highway, as reported by NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System.
Addressing questions regarding federal assistance during the interview, Hochul remarked to CNN, “I’m not relying on the federal government for this; the state is leading the efforts.”
“If the situation escalates—and we typically would seek FEMA reimbursements once a monetary threshold is reached—I’m uncertain if FEMA will even be available by the time we would assess the costs if this spirals out of control further.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
