Brush fires on Long Island injure firefighter, damage buildings as crews race to extinguish flames
The fires, which ignited in Suffolk County during the late morning and early afternoon hours on Saturday, appeared to be fueled by a combination of low humidity and gusty winds that reached speeds of up to 40 mph.
Large brush fires continue to burn on Long Island
Crews are continuing to beat back flames after a series of brush fires erupted on Long Island over the weekend. FOX Weather Meteorologist Nick Kosir has the latest information.
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. – A state of emergency is in effect and at least one firefighter has been injured after a series of brush fires erupted on Long Island in New York over the weekend.
The fires, which ignited in Suffolk County during the late morning and early afternoon hours on Saturday, appeared to be fueled by a combination of low humidity and gusty winds that reached speeds of up to 40 mph.
Watch: Thick smoke fills the air as massive brush fire burns on Long Island
A video shared from New York shows thick black smoke filling the air over Sunrise Highway in Suffolk County as massive brush fires burn on Long Island on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
Thick black smoke filled the sky and was visible as far away as Connecticut as the flames consumed vegetation and damaged at least two structures.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency in Suffolk County as crews worked tirelessly to contain and extinguish the flames.
She confirmed that multiple state and local agencies had mobilized to combat the fires, with efforts coordinated to protect structures in the Pine Barrens area of Long Island.
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New York City firefighters battle brush fire in Brooklyn
Firefighters were able to gain the upper hand on a brush fire burning in Gerritsen Beach on Saturday.
"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," Hochul said in a post on X.
In addition, Hochul said helicopters from the New York National Guard were providing air support.
At a news conference on Saturday, officials said at least one firefighter was injured while fighting the fires.
![WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: A rescue helicopter picks up water at Wild Wood Lake on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. As strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images)]()
Image 1 of 8WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: A rescue helicopter picks up water at Wild Wood Lake on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. As strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images) ( )
![WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: A rescue helicopter carries water along Route 27 on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. As strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 8WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: A rescue helicopter carries water along Route 27 on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. As strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images) ( )
![WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: A rescue helicopter picks up water at Wild Wood Lake on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. As strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images)]()
Image 3 of 8WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: A rescue helicopter picks up water at Wild Wood Lake on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. As strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images) ( )
![WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: A firefighter returns from a forest fire along Route 27 on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. As strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 8WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: A firefighter returns from a forest fire along Route 27 on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. As strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images) ( )
![This image shows thick smoke filling the air as a brush fire burn on Long Island in New York on Saturday, March 8, 2025.]()
Image 5 of 8This image shows thick smoke filling the air as a brush fire burn on Long Island in New York on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (@kevin_smith45/X)
![Strong Winds Fuel Wildfires On Long Island]()
Image 6 of 8WESTHAMPTON, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Firemen stand on the road side near Francis S. Gabreski Airport on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York. Strong winds fueled multiple brush fires on New York's Long Island, closing roads and reportedly burning structures. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
![Sunrise Highway brush fire on 3/8/2025]()
Image 7 of 8Sunrise Highway brush fire on 3/8/2025 (Jaden McAleese)
![Brush fire along the Sunrise Highway in Long Island.]()
Image 8 of 8Brush fire along the Sunrise Highway in Long Island. (Councilwoman Meli Garthwait)
"You heard that there was one firefighter injured," Suffolk County Commissioner of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Rudy Sunderman said. "He was injured with some burns and he was flown to Stony Brook University for treatment."
While the exact cause of the brush fires remains unclear, authorities were quick to point out that there wasn’t any lightning in the region at the time, leaving only human causes as the primary source.
Fortunately, due to the stiff northwesterly winds, smoke was largely carried offshore over the Atlantic Ocean, leading to few air quality concerns across the New York City metro.
Some of the smoke plumes were large enough to be seen on radar, with returns indicating that the some and ask were billowing over the Atlantic.
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Air quality reported to be in the "good" range around New York City.
(AirNow)
The Empire State is not the only state grappling with brush fires; large swaths of the mid-Atlantic and Southeast have had similar bouts with flames.
The combination of dry vegetation, an intensifying drought and gusty winds has created an environment ripe for wildfires along the eastern seaboard, from southern New England through the Sunshine State.
Many communities in the region are experiencing conditions that range from "abnormally dry" to "extreme," which enhances the amount of vegetation available to fuel fires.
Meteorologists expect winds around the tri-state to remain elevated through the weekend, but moisture will return in the form of scattered rain showers on Sunday and higher humidity levels during the workweek.
The increased moisture should help firefighters gain a better handle on any uncontrolled fires and limit potential issues with smoke along Long Island.
(FOX Weather)