New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Saturday declared a state of emergency in effect for eastern Long Island’s Suffolk County as a number of wind-driven brushfires broke out in the wooded areas north of Westhampton, leading to the evacuation of an Air National Guard post, WCBS reports.
The largest fire was about 80 percent contained on Sunday morning, but the dry, windy conditions continue to pose an elevated risk. “We have about 600 acres burned. Two commercial buildings that suffered damage. There are no residential buildings that have been damaged or threatened at this time, and there are no evacuations at this moment, and we hope it to stay that way. But as the day goes on, we’ll be able to proceed from there,” said Westhampton Beach Fire official Lewis Scott.