Quotes
This fire at its largest, which is still burning, is 2 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, ... It started in Center Moriches, then to East Moriches, then Eastport and then Westhampton, and now the fire is heading toward Quogue."
County Executive Ed Romaine told NBC-4 at a joint press conference held by responding agencies at 5:30 p.m
I am issuing a State of Emergency as Suffolk County fights brush fires in the Pine Barrens,
Hochul said in a post on X ... She added.jpg)
Massive wildfire in the pine barrens. More than 70 fire companies and 20 EMS on site. Declaration of Emergency ordered. Thank you to all of the firefighters and first responders fighting this blaze. Praying for their safety."
Jesse Garcia, chairman of the Suffolk County & Brookhaven Town Republican Committees, wrote on X on Saturday
Exercise caution handling any potential ignition sources, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches,
the National Weather Service advised
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,
Hochul said in a statement
I’ve declared a state of emergency to secure resources immediately,
she continuedThe winds will keep the embers alive, and we have to worry every day that this fire will rise again,
Romaine said
We're in a crisis situation and to cut funding for people who save our lives is deeply, deeply troubling,
Hochul said
No residences are currently threatened, but officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and officials will be notified if that changes.
Southampton Police Chief James Kiernan saidWe almost didn't know if we were gonna get out of there,
she revealedAll those images of what happened in the Palisades are so front and center in our minds,
the governor said, recalling the deadly wildfires that devastated California this year
We’re in a better place right now but we are very concerned about the overnight, and the increase of winds,
Hochul told CNN’s Jessica Dean SaturdayThe New York National Guard has already begun providing air support by helicopter and is coordinating with local law enforcement,
Hochul said in a statementWe are prepared for this, and we have 80 agencies and firefighting crews and agents and individuals all over working to put up a wet line, as you say, because that wet line is what our best defense against this spreading now,
Hochul said while noting the threat of an increase in winds overnight and the impact the fires can have on air qualityOur biggest problem is the wind,
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said
This is still out of control at this moment,
Hochul told Long Island TV station News 12.Public safety is my top priority, and I'm committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe,
she saidWe're seeing people having to be evacuated from the Westhampton area,
she saidNew 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."
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul wrote on X, formerly Twitter