Update March 8, 10 p.m.: A massive, wind-whipped brush fire that started in the Pine Barrens area of Westhampton Beach around 1 p.m. today and shut down Sunrise Highway in both directions has reportedly been mostly contained as of tonight.
Volunteers from the East Hampton Fire Department — one of many that responded from across the East End and as far east as Montauk — had been released from duty by about 7. (But, no rest for the weary, they were immediately called to another, far smaller brush fire near houses on Montauk Boulevard off Route 114 in East Hampton.)
The Westhampton wildfire prompted Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore to declare a townwide state of emergency, effective at 3 p.m. "Dry weather and high winds, along with damage to woodland areas caused by Southern Pine Beetle infestation, is exacerbating the conditions for dangerous wildfires," she said in a release.
Given its proximity to the fire, the 106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach evacuated personnel from the base and deployed "two base fire trucks" and an "HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter" to combat the blaze, according to a release from the base.
Originally, March 8: 4 p.m.: Sunrise Highway is closed east of Exit 62, as firefighters from across the East End battle major brush fires in the area, Southampton Town police said in an alert. Smoke from the fires could be seen as far away as Connecticut and from East Hampton.
“Minutes ago, I spoke with County Executive Ed Romaine about the brush fire in the Pine Barrens and informed him that the State of New York is here to provide any resources and support he needs," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement on Saturday afternoon. "The New York National Guard has already begun providing air support by helicopter and is coordinating with local law enforcement. I have also deployed personnel from the Office of Emergency Management, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, State Parks, and the New York State Police to assist Suffolk County’s response to this crisis."
A number of South Fork departments are assisting in the effort to bring the fires under control on a day when wind gusts are forecast to reach over 40 miles per hour.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m. Southampton police said Speonk-Riverhead Road was also closed and asked people to "stay clear of the areas."
The Amagansett Fire Department was among those on scene, its chief, Chris Beckert, confirmed, as was the East Hampton department, Chief Duane Forrester said, adding to what he called "a busy few days for us. We were in North Sea last night till about 1 a.m. or so," followed by a training exercise this morning. "We went right into a working structure fire after that on Park Street" in East Hampton, before going to assist with the Westhampton Beach blaze.
Montauk firefighters had already headed west at that point, Marcos Baladron, the East Hampton Village administrator, said, adding that the area affected was extensive, maybe 50 acres. The fire's proximity to the road could be a blessing, he said, if it acts as a fire break.
By around 5 p.m. the rising smoke was visible from Exit 65 on the Long Island Expressway.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
With Reporting by Christopher Gangemi
