
A thick blanket of smoke has engulfed New York's Long Island as wildfires force evacuation of a military base and closure of a major highway. A state of emergency has been declared by New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
“I am issuing a State of Emergency as Suffolk County fights brush fires in the Pine Barrens. I have spoken to Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine and offered any necessary state resources,” she wrote in an X post.
According to the state governor, the New York National Guard deployed multiple Black Hawk helicopters loaded with 660-gallon buckets of water to control the fires.
In a statement, the governor said, “We are deploying resources as quickly as possible, and I have mobilized our agencies, the National Guard and the State Police to provide air and ground support to ensure we keep our Long Islanders safe.”
According to Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine, the fire crews in Suffolk County responded to at least three major bushfires on the East End. By Saturday (March 8) evening, the Westhampton fire was about 80 per cent contained, he added.
The blaze damaged two commercial structures and injured a firefighter, who suffered a second-degree burn to his face, according to Romaine.
Also read | WATCH | Pro-Ukraine protesters chased JD Vance while he was with his 3-year-old daughter
Several local roads and highways, including a section of the Sunrise Highway, have been shut down due to fires.
Southampton residents have been advised to avoid going outdoors for the next 24 hours due to high winds and danger due to wildfires. According to Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, there was a heightened risk of the fire spreading to dry conditions and strong winds.
(With inputs from agencies)