In response to strong opposition from commercial fishermen who fear a disruption of their work and destruction of fish habitat, officials of Deepwater Wind, a Rhode Island company that plans to construct a 15-turbine wind farm approximately 30 miles off Montauk, are exploring an alternative to an initial plan to route the installation’s transmission cable through Gardiner’s Bay.

At an April meeting of the East Hampton Town Trustees, several fishermen voiced those concerns to Clint Plummer, Deepwater Wind’s vice president of development, should the transmission cable be laid to make landfall in Gardiner’s Bay.

On July 6, the East Hampton Town Board authorized a license agreement with Deepwater Wind allowing it to conduct soil sampling and habitat delineations at a town-owned right of way at Napeague Lane in Amagansett.

Mr. Plummer said yesterday that Deepwater Wind’s exploration of a southern route for the proposed South Fork Wind Farm’s transmission cable underscores the company’s effort to solicit feedback from all stakeholders and respond accordingly. “We have taken that guidance very seriously, as we are investigating some potential routes on the south shore,” he said. “We’re working through where this could go. There are a lot of technical and environmental data we’re gathering. In the next few months, we will be able to go public with alternative routes.”

Mr. Plummer has emphasized that the development phase of an offshore wind farm is much longer than its construction phase, which he has estimated would be a few months. A rigorous review by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies will require some 20 approvals, he said, as was the case for the Block Island Wind Farm, which Deepwater developed over approximately eight years. That installation, the nation’s first offshore wind farm, went online in December.

“Developing a project of this scale is a long process, and we are at the very beginning,” he said. “Most people are surprised to learn how many approvals are required, and how in-depth that process is.” The company is on track to submit permit applications in the first quarter of 2018, he said. Previous estimates had the South Fork Wind Farm operational in late 2022.

The trustees’ harbor management committee has met monthly, Rick Drew, a deputy clerk of the trustees, told his colleagues at their meeting on July 10, with the South Fork Wind Farm a primary topic of its meetings. The next meeting, he said, will happen on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at the trustees’ office in the Donald Lamb Building in Amagansett. It is to focus on the project’s environmental impact, particularly with the laying of the transmission cable and the installation of the turbines’ bases on the ocean floor. “It’s an interesting opportunity for us to learn more about the project, and we are looking to have more representation from the commercial and recreational fishing community at this meeting,” he said.

Mr. Drew said that he has informed Deepwater Wind officials that a “well-presented executive summary of all this research,” including comment from all stakeholders, is planned. He estimated an early fall presentation of that summary. “We’re really challenging them to deliver a quality proposal,” he said of Deepwater Wind.

Diane McNally of the trustees had asked Mr. Drew, at the July 10 meeting, for information on the Block Island Wind Farm’s operation. Mr. Plummer said yesterday that the installation is meeting performance expectations. It is projected to produce approximately 125,000 megawatt hours per year, he said, and “we’re on track to meet that number over the course of the next year.”

He described feedback from residents of East Hampton, which set a goal of meeting 100 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020, as “overwhelmingly positive” to date. “We talk with folks who are very excited that East Hampton is leading the way to becoming one of the first 100-percent renewable energy communities in the country, and to learn how offshore wind becomes a part of that renewable energy solution.”

I can be a loner at times. As such, I sometimes enjoy the solitude of fishing by myself when the mood strikes. There are those moments in life when it’s nice to be away from the problems that may be swirling around in your world, or the world in general. Whether it’s casting for stripers on an empty ocean beach in November or sitting lazily on the stern of your boat for a long drift for fluke near the Cedar Point Lighthouse, I cherish those days greatly when it’s clearly time to de-fog the brain and hit the reset button to gain some inner peace. Catching anything is a side issue at that point too. If the fish cooperate, that’s fine. All the better. But if my pail remains empty at the end of the trip, that’s okay, too. It’s all part of a day on the water and taking all of it in. 

But I most certainly love to fish with other people, including some of my closest friends. That too is equally therapeutic. Each of them comes from varying professions — accounting, finance, insurance, education, construction, bartending — a real cross-section of just about anyone you may see in a hardware store on the weekend. It is a great mix and we all get along well. 

And this past weekend, for the 17th year in a row, our core group fished in the Montauk Mercury Grand Slam. Compared to some of the high-stakes offshore tournaments and large pots of cash involved, this tourney is more low-key and has a nice local flair to it. Fishing is done close to Montauk and focuses on our four most popular inshore species — striped bass, bluefish, sea bass, and fluke. It’s a lot of fun, and we have plenty of laughs. The charter boat Breakaway has been our vessel of choice for the event all these years, and we’ve had a decent amount of success too.

However, sadly, nearly four years ago we lost the “leader” of our group, who organized all of our fishing charters, to a sudden illness. Wayne Clinch was a remarkable man who retired a few years prior to his premature passing, after a career in the world of corporate insurance in Manhattan, to a newly rebuilt house a stone’s throw away from the fishing docks in Montauk Harbor with his wife, Carolyn. An avid fisherman his whole life, his arsenal of tackle and custom-made fishing rods could put most tackle shops to shame. You name the species, and Clinch most likely had the exact rod, lure, rig, or hook to match the hatch, as they say.

Set in his ways, with a wicked, dry sense of humor, Clinch also possessed a heart of gold and was pied piper of our group, the one who would always set the tone for every trip on the water. No matter the outcome at the end of the day, we all would have a great time, sharing the same bad movie lines or retelling old jokes that never seem to tire. It actually hurt at times to smile due to the constant laughter. Good fishing or not, it would always be an immensely enjoyable trip.

And while our fishing adventures since his passing continue to be a fine mixture of fun, laughs, and success, there remains a noticeable void on the cockpit deck several years later. The jokes and sharp barbs traded these days remain humorous to us in the midship cabin, but we all feel the difference since his passing and we continue to adjust to it. It has not been easy, and I’m just not sure that it will fully heal or change. It’s just not quite the same. 

It’s in these times, though, that I most appreciate being with those who together share the same passion for being on the water and who value true friendship. Losing a beloved friend, spouse, or relative is never easy. It takes time. But in so many instances, my fellow fishing colleagues all know it’s sometimes better to be with others than to walk alone.  

As for the Grand Slam event itself, lots of nice fish were weighed in over the weekend in the various categories. At its conclusion, James Katfaras and his crew captured the recreational division and the grand prize of a Mercury 150 horsepower outboard engine. Trying hard every year, Capt. Charles Etzel and his crew of the Keeper came away with the win in the commercial/charter boat division and a tidy cash prize. 

As for our group, we had some nice action on all of the targeted species both days. One of them not on the weigh-in list was a thresher shark. On Sunday afternoon, just about a mile or so south of Gurney’s, a large thresher shark over 200 pounds paid us a visit. Taking off with a small bucktail fished hard on the bottom, it quickly made off like a speeding locomotive heading south. There was nothing to do but laugh, as the light spinning gear was no match for the enraged shark. But all of us on board enjoyed the spectacle of four acrobatic leaps out of the water by the feisty, whip-tailed predator. It was quite a sight to behold on a beautiful sunny day.

No threshers were reported on the Montauk half-day open boat Lazy Bones, but fluke fishing has been solid of late. “We had a few fish over 10 pounds and the fishing has been very good,” said a smiling Kathy Vegessi. Some nice sea bass are also in the mix, she added. 

Good sportsmanship was also on display on the Bones. Vegessi relayed that on a Saturday morning’s trip, 10-year-old Will Quackenbush captured not only the pool winnings with a five-pound fluke, but also the monthly Wayne Clinch Take a Kid Fishing award of a rod and reel, and a full tackle box of fishing lures and gear. However, having captured the award and prize last July, young Quackenbush displayed true honor by voluntarily giving his newly won equipment to a 5-year-old fellow angler, Hudson Hayduk, who was fishing near the rail with him. Vegessi said the moment was priceless and unforgettable. It’s also a great gesture that Wayne would have been very proud to see.   

Over at the Tackle Shop in Amagansett, Harvey Bennett proclaimed that the snappers are in full force. “While still on the small side, it’s a great opportunity to introduce children to fishing catching baby bluefish,” he said. Bigger fish, striped bass, can also be taken from the ocean surf from Atlantic Avenue to Main Beach in East Hampton. “Fishing bait, either clams or bunker, is the way to get them, but bucktails and tins will work too,” added Bennett. Those focused on fluke can find nice- size ones at the Napeague and Accabonac Harbor areas. And porgies still reside around Gardiner’s Island, but shorebound anglers can also catch them at the big dock on the west side of Fort Pond Bay in Montauk. 

Skinny water action for those fishing flies and light tackle has also been productive lately. “Fishing is still holding up well, mostly on the flood tide on the flats, both in Gardiner’s and Shinnecock Bays,” said Capt. Merritt White of Skiff Guide charters, based out of East Hampton. “Best action has been using crab flies and flathead bonefish jigs in tan and pink.”

We welcome your fishing tips, observations, and photographs at [email protected]. You can find the “On the Water” column on Twitter at @ehstarfishing.

Damage to two houses where fires broke out in recent days could have been a lot worse had it not been for observant neighbors, according to fire officials.

On Tuesday, flames damaged the exterior of a house at 27 Gainsborough Court in Montauk shortly after a plumber repaired an outdoor shower. Tom Baker, an East Hampton Town fire marshal, said the plumber had been soldering copper pipes for the shower less than an hour before the fire broke out.

A neighbor called 911 at around 3 p.m. “The neighbor noticed smoke — thank goodness,” Mr. Baker said. The damage could have been worse, he said, as the plumber and the homeowner were no longer at the house.

The Montauk fire chief, Vinnie Franzone, located the fire in the outdoor shower when he arrived. Flames were already rolling toward the roof. Firefighters on the first engine to arrive were able to douse the blaze quickly. The outer wall of the shower was damaged. The fire did extend into the house, though not past the Sheetrock, Chief Franzone and Mr. Baker said. Power to the residence had to be shut off as a precaution, the chief said, due to exposed wiring inside the wall.

The fire department used two engines, two tanker trucks, a water supply truck, and three ambulances, along with its fire-police personnel. No injuries were reported. Firefighters responded in warm temperatures: It was already 82 degrees in Montauk, with an air quality alert in effect for southeast Suffolk County.

A lamp with no shade and some wind were blamed for starting a fire in Springs on Saturday night. The Great Bonac Fireworks event was just getting started at 9:19 p.m. when the Springs Fire Department, which was on standby for the big show, were called to 182 Three Mile Harbor-Hog Creek Road.

Again, it was a neighbor who noticed smoke coming from the house, according to Mr. Baker, who said that with the fireworks underway it could have easily gone unnoticed. The summer renters were not home, he said.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and a lot of heat on the second floor of the house, which had a confusing layout, according to Darrin Downes, second assistant of the Springs Fire Department. He said it was difficult to locate the fire initially. After a ceiling was taken down, firefighters found that flames had crept up behind a dormer into the roof line, Mr. Baker said.

He determined that a lamp with no shade had been left on by an open window. He believes the wind blew one panel of the window draperies across the exposed lightbulb, and the draperies caught fire. Once they burned up, the flames crept up the wall. There was no indication, he said, that there had been a shade on the lamp.

The fire damaged the bedroom, and there was smoke damage in the hallway.    Chiefs called for extra manpower from the East Hampton Fire Department as a precaution.

A building containing lithium batteries, which National Grid and PSEG want to put up in Montauk, was discussed during a public hearing before the East Hampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday night. The facility, which would store power drawn  from the grid when demand is low and release it back at peak hours, is planned for a half-acre site on North Shore Road, which connects Industrial Road and Navy Road. But three setback variances would be necessary for construction, and opposition is evident. If the Z.B.A. grants the variances, a public hearing before the town’s planning board would follow on Aug. 9.

Eric Schantz, a senior planner, told the board that if the variances were granted, the building would on average be slightly under 50 percent closer to the property lines than the town code requires. The triangular parcel is bordered by the Long Island Rail Road tracks, North Shore Road, and a property recently purchased by PSEG, to which the Long Island Power Authority-PSEG substation now at Fort Pond would be moved.

Ross Groffman, executive director of NextEra Energy Resources, a company partnering with National Grid and PSEG, addressed the board, as did Ryan McMorrow, an engineering manager with the firm, who said the batteries are safe and that numerous steps would be taken to ensure that the system is not hazardous. Neighbors were not sanguine. Michael Avallone, who has a small house on Navy Road on the other side of the tracks, said he was speaking for himself and at least three neighbors. “There is chronic flooding in the area. How are they going to react to saltwater?” he asked. Flooding occurs in heavy rains, it was noted. An alternative site, the recycling center off Montauk Highway in Montauk, was mentioned at the hearing, though PSEG has apparently rejected it.

  “We are putting a square peg in a round hole here,” said Jim Grimes, who owns Fort Pond Native Plants and several nearby properties. “The variances are excessive and incompatible with the area.” Mr. Grimes said the center of the site was landfill and wondered if more fill would be needed. He asked about the height of the proposed structure and the height of the site itself.

Mr. McMorrow responded to these concerns, as well as to other speakers who expressed fear of explosion. “There are a lot of misconceptions,” he said. Unlike the infamous lithium ion Samsung batteries that had to be recalled after they started catching fire, the batteries to be used at the proposed site are pure lithium, he said. “It is not a hazard.”

David Lys, a board member, suggested the members should perhaps see a rendering of the proposed structure as it relates to neighboring sites. In the end, however, the board agreed to close the hearing and the record.

“There will be a lot more neighbors at the next meeting,” Mr. Avallone said

East Hampton officials are set to enact a  law and establish a rebate program designed to get septic systems that contribute to water pollution out of the ground and replace them with newer ones that reduce emissions of nitrogen.

At a meeting tonight, the East Hampton Town Board is expected to set hearings for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at Town Hall on a law that will require low-nitrogen systems for all new construction and replacements of sanitary systems, and on a rebate program that could provide money for homeowners that would pay for all, or a substantial amount, of the cost of voluntarily replacing old sanitary systems.

Also this week, the town board is expected to vote on a resolution to initiate plans for a community waste treatment system in downtown Montauk.

Those who own existing houses in areas of the town that are designated as water protection districts and whose annual income is no more than $500,000 will be eligible for rebates equal to the entire cost of installing a low-nitrogen sanitary system approved by the Suffolk Department of Health Services, or up to $16,000. The cost of removing an existing system would be included.

Several systems were approved by the county for use following a pilot program; others are undergoing testing now. To qualify under the law, systems must reduce nitrogen levels in treated waste to 19 milligrams or less per liter. When and if systems are approved by the county that can further reduce nitrogen, to 10 milligrams or less per liter, that will become the standard.

Eligible existing-house owners outside the priority zones could receive a rebate covering 75 percent of the costs of a new system, up to $10,000, although those who fall within maximum income and asset guidelines set by the county for an affordable housing program can also have the entire cost, up to $16,000, covered.

The money for the rebates will come from the portion of East Hampton Town’s community preservation fund that can be used for water quality improvement. A county rebate program for septic system upgrades began earlier this month. Unlike the town’s program, however, only those within priority areas are eligible, and rebates are only available for new systems at primary residences.

 The priority East Hampton Town water protection districts are depicted on a series of maps. They include the areas in the town’s harbor protection districts around Accabonac, Napeague, Northwest, and Three Mile Harbors, as well as property surrounding Fort Pond, Georgica Pond, Tuthill, Wainscott, and Steppingstones Ponds, Lake Montauk, Hog Creek, and Northwest Creek.

Also on the priority maps are downtown Montauk and East Hampton Village, high-density neighborhoods in Springs, the Sag Harbor and Wainscott Pond Water Quality Priority Areas, the Lake Montauk dock area, Ditch Plain, Camp Hero, and the watersheds around southern Three Mile Harbor and Hog Creek.

East Hampton’s proposed new requirement regarding low-nitrogen septic systems will apply not only to new development but when there is a substantial expansion of an existing building and whenever a nonresidential property owner seeks site-plan approval.

In order to coordinate with Suffolk County lawmakers, who intend to enact a similar requirement, the town’s law would be slated to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. If the County Legislature moves too slowly, Supervisor Larry Cantwell said at a town board meeting on Tuesday, “at some point the town might have to take a stand” to get the regional authorities to recognize East Hampton’s more stringent requirements. “That could come in January should the county fail to act,” he said.

The driver of a pickup truck that crashed in Northwest Woods Sunday morning was seriously injured, according to East Hampton Town police. The accident might have gone unreported had a bicyclist not noticed the truck in the woods and called 911 just after 7.

The truck landed in the woods off Northwest Road, about half a mile north of Lyme Lane and south of Alewife Brook Road. Steven M. Lane of Hampton Bays, 25, the sole occupant, was unconscious, had suffered a head injury, and was bleeding severely, the responding officers reported. Based on interviews with people who were with Mr. Lane shortly before the 911 call, Capt. Chris Anderson said the crash occurred within minutes of the call. No one actually saw it happen, he said.

The East Hampton Fire Department’s heavy rescue squad extricated the driver from the 1989 Chevrolet pickup using the Jaws of Life, cutters, and hydraulic rams. The accident report indicated he was not wearing a seat belt.

The East Hampton Village Ambulance Association was going to medevac Mr. Lane to Stony Brook University Hospital, but when the ambulance arrived at the East Hampton Airport the patient was deemed too critical to fly and was taken to Southampton Hospital instead. Once stabilized, he was flown to Stony Brook, where, as of yesterday, he was listed in critical condition.

Detectives took measurements at the scene to reconstruct the crash, and determined that the truck had failed to navigate “a left-hand bend” on Northwest Road before striking a tree on the west side of the road. The investigation is continuing.

A passenger in a 2008 Chevrolet sedan was flown to Stony Brook on July 10 after a two-car accident at the intersection of Napeague Harbor Road and Route 27 in Amagansett.

At 6:40 p.m., Yesid M. Gonzalez, 42, of East Hampton, the driver of the westbound sedan, which was registered to a Yury F. Ortigoza of East Elmhurst, struck the right side of an eastbound 2015 BMW that was turning left onto Napeague Harbor Road. Mr. Gonzalez, who told police the BMW driver failed to yield the right-of-way and cut in front of him, suffered a right-arm laceration and chest pain. He was transported to Southampton Hospital.

His passenger, Luis A. Sanchez-Torres, 52, who was in the back seat, was not wearing a seatbelt, police said. He hit his head on the front windshield, which gave him lacerations on his face and head, and he complained of neck and chest pain. He was taken to a landing zone in Amagansett and then airlifted to Stony Brook.

The BMW driver, Joan R. McDonell of Amagansett, 73, was charged with failure to yield the right of way. She told police she was experiencing minor stomach pain but declined to be taken to Southampton Hospital.

At around noon last Thursday, a 2004 Chevrolet utility truck ignored a clearance sign at the train trestle on Daniel’s Hole Road in East Hampton, and the top of the truck hit the bridge. Police charged Jose F. Torres of Mastic, 58, with exceeding bridge clearance. No injuries were reported.

On a foggy Saturday at 7:15 a.m., a van pulling out of the Montauk 7-Eleven hit the front wheel of a bicycle. The bicyclist, Lenard Rodney of Montauk, 63, told police he had been headed east on the westbound sidewalk when it happened. He said he did not fall, but felt pain in his right ankle. He declined medical treatment.

The driver of a 1999 Dodge pickup was taken to Southampton Hospital on Sunday after a 9 a.m. collision with a 2013 Hyundai at the intersection of Route 27 and Old Montauk Highway in Montauk.

The driver of the Hyundai, Gayane L. Barrett of Riverhead, 29, told town police he was attempting to turn from Old Montauk Highway onto Route 27 but did not accelerate fast enough, causing the collision with the pickup. Its driver, Igor Solando, 55, of Montauk, had a lower leg injury. He told police he had had no time to prevent the collision.

Mr. Barrett’s license was found to be suspended, and he was charged accordingly.

The new owner of the former Oceanside Motel in Montauk, now called Hero Beach Club, has sued East Hampton Town over its adoption last month of a law that prohibits resorts from having takeout food shops.

Jon Krasner, the managing partner at Hero Beach, bought the hotel in October. In March, he submitted an application to the town planning board for approval of renovations that included the conversion of a four-unit building into what is described in Planning Department documents as a 1,440-square-foot store, with a 1,000-square-foot basement area and a new sanitary system, and two decks, of 463 square feet on the first floor and 515 square feet on a second floor. In addition, a new 3,675-square-foot wood deck over an existing swimming pool and deck was also proposed.

The resort’s value has “decreased significantly” without the ability to sell food and beverages, Tiffany Scarlato, a Sag Harbor attorney representing Hero Beach Club, wrote in a submission to State Supreme Court.

“A retail food and beverage service at a motel, resort, or hotel is now an anticipated amenity at every transient motel establishment, and without this use, hotels, motels, and resorts are rated lower, are far less valuable, and attract far fewer patrons,” according to the lawsuit.

Montauk resort visitors, Ms. Scarlato wrote, anticipate “that one would be able to obtain a cup of coffee in the morning and a fresh-made sandwich or salad and a beverage while relaxing by the pool or after a long day at the beach.”

While a judge declined last week to issue a temporary restraining order prohibiting the town from enforcing the new law, a hearing will be held next week on enjoining the town from acting, and a court date has been set for August regarding the lawsuit.

The town law adopted on June 15 was meant to create a new category under zoning for takeout food stores, and to allow such stores to have a limited number of seats for patrons. However, the law also specifies that such stores are not allowed in motels or resorts.

In its lawsuit, Hero Beach Club claims that the town failed to fully describe the impact of the proposed law, as required, and that the law should be invalidated.

The lawsuit cites public comments by East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell, who questioned the intent of the renovations proposed at the motel and whether it was designed to accommodate more than the sale of takeout food. He expressed concern that the motel would become another club-type destination for food and drink, circumventing what is envisioned for such sites under town zoning.

The law was “purposely, without reason” designed to thwart the Hero Beach plans, the motel’s lawsuit claims. Its application to the planning board for the store was the only one pending at the time, the lawsuit says, “and it was made clear by public officials” that the law “was intended to stop this particular application in its tracks.”

With the new law in effect, the motel’s planning board application can no longer be processed, and it will need a use variance from the zoning board of appeals to proceed with its plans.

Mr. Krasner claims that the motel has been singled out and subjected to continued inspections “aimed at creating and then discovering violations on the property at the direction of the town board. . . .”

In addition to a declaration from the court that the new town law is invalid, the lawsuit seeks an award to Mr. Krasner for violation of his constitutional rights and for attorney’s fees and other costs.

Detectives are investigating a burglary at two East Hampton Village stores, along with a fire that was started there, in the early morning hours on Monday. The burglar or burglars made off with an unknown amount of cash before the fire triggered the smoke alarm. 

Village police and the East Hampton Fire Department were summoned to Tenet, at 51 Newtown Lane, by an automatic fire alarm at about 3:30 a.m. The store has two entrances, one on Newtown Lane and another on Park Place in the Reutershan parking lot. "It appears somebody forced their way into Tenet through the back door," said Detective Steve Sheades. The burglar alarm was not activated.

Inside, an officer found smoke in the building. A fire extinguisher was used to put out the small fire, found by the landing to the basement staircase. The detective said candles and some envelopes were on fire. "We don't know the purpose of it yet," he said, adding investigators are trying to determine if the fire was was accidental. There was no serious damage to the building. 

Police found cash missing from registers in Tenet. In Sweaty Beatty, a store that shares a common area separated by a curtain with Tenet, police found the safe ajar and cash missing. Detectives are still trying to determine how much cash was taken from both stores and if the safe was left open or had been pried open.

The back door to Tenet had been forced open, but police did not find any tools, and there was no obvious damage. The fire alarm was still sounding Monday morning around 9, while police were inside investigating. 

No arrests have been made yet. 

Four weeks after they ordered Georgica Pond closed to the harvesting of crabs and other marine life due to a report a toxic blue-green algae from Suffolk officials, the East Hampton Town Trustees reopened the pond as the algal bloom had significantly diminished.

"The bacteria levels have been down for about two weeks now," Bill Taylor, a deputy clerk of the trustees, said last week of the bloom of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. Mr. Taylor removed the signs that had been posted to notify the public that crabbing was prohibited around July 7, he said.

Real-time data transmitted by a telemetry buoy in the pond indicated a cyanobacteria level of 0.6 micrograms per liter on Monday morning. That level had surpassed 3 micrograms per liter early last month, prompting the prohibition on crabbing and the taking of other marine life.

Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin and eye irritation, allergic reactions, and breathing problems. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has advised the public not to swim or wade in contaminated waters and to keep pets and children away until warnings are lifted. In the case of accidental contact, the county advises that people rinse themselves off with clean water immediately and seek medical attention if symptoms arise.

Christopher Gobler of Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences has been monitoring the pond's water quality for the trustees for several years. More recently, the Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation, a group of pondfront property owners that is working to restore it to health, also retained his services.

"Historically, blue-green algae blooms tend to show a bimodal summer distribution, peaking in late spring and again in later summer into fall," Dr. Gobler wrote in an email to The Star on Thursday. "In 2014 and 2015, blooms occurred in August and September. So, while the overall conditions are basically ripe for a bloom, the absence of one right now is actually consistent with prior years (excluding 2016) and other locations on the South Fork."

Last year, the Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation leased an aquatic weed harvester to remove macroalgae from the pond. As it decays, the macroalgae provides nutrients to harmful algae such as cyanobacteria. The removal last summer of more than 55,000 pounds of macroalgae is believed to be responsible for a substantial reduction in the levels of cyanobacteria recorded last year, and may be a factor in the relatively brief bloom that occurred last month.

"It's too early to pin it down on one thing," Mr. Taylor said of the diminishing bloom. "We're trying to get years of data to put the pieces together." 

A fire broke out at a house on Gainsborough Court in Montauk on Tuesday afternoon. Smoke was reported coming from the house just after 3 p.m., and when a Montauk fire chief arrived on scene he saw flames coming from the back of the house. 

The Amagansett Fire Department's rapid intervention team was called as backup, but was then asked to stand by at the Montauk Firehouse instead. 

Firefighters are responding in warm temperatures. It is currently 82 degrees in Montauk, with an an air quality alert in effect for southeast Suffolk County.