Long Island volunteers still working to contain Westhampton wildfire

Long Island volunteers worked through the night in Westhampton to contain the last of four wildfires that sparked Saturday afternoon on eastern Long Island, prompting an emergency response from across the region.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine is expected to update the public at 11:30 a.m. from Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach,

“As of this morning, emergency crews have resumed operations to address the wildfires,” according to a statement issued by Southampton Town. “We are happy to report that other than some small hotspots, there is no significant visible fire. There are hotspots and smoldering areas being addressed, and emergency management is utilizing drones and air assets to identify these areas to direct response.”

All roads are currently open.

Arson investigators have also been dispatched to investigate the fires, a county spokesperson has confirmed.

According to the National Weather Service, Sunday will continue to be sunny and breezy, with a high near 45 mph. The strong and sustained winds that helped spread the wildfires will slow down, though, with a southwest wind of 13 to 18 mph, and gusts as high as 33 mph.

The region remains under a State of Emergency declaration, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Dry weather and high winds — together with damage to woodland areas caused by the Southern pine beetle — created the perfect storm for fast-moving wildfires to ignite and spread across the Pine Barrens along the south side of Sunrise Highway.

The blazes stretched from Moriches to Westhampton Beach.

I am issuing a State of Emergency as Suffolk County fights brush fires in the Pine Barrens. I have spoken to @ExecEdRomaine and offered any necessary State resources.

We have @NationalGuardNY helicopters providing air support, and multiple state agencies are on the ground.

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) March 8, 2025