Bob Doda

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Mar 8, 2025, 2:17 PM

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Updated

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About 80 fire departments from across Long Island responded Saturday afternoon to massive brush fires out east, one of which crossed the roadway at CR-31 near Gabreski Airport.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said the fire, which started in Center Moriches and is making its way toward Quogue, was 2 miles long and 2 ½ miles wide at its largest. It was reported just after 1 p.m.

News 12’s phones were inundated with concerned callers just as the fire broke out, sending massive plumes of smoke into the sky.

Romaine said that the National Guard was flying water drops in an effort to contain the fires from spreading. However, strong winds have made it a challenge. Winds are expected to continue to be an issue through Sunday.

Officials say one firefighter has been injured with a second-degree burn to the face. He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital.

So far, two structures have burned - one on the grounds of Gabreski Airport and the other on CR-31. Officials say both fires were extinguished. No decision has been reached yet on if Gabreski will need to be evacuated.

Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman said the only active fire as of 5:30 p.m. was in Westhampton. It was 80% contained as of 8 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke with News 12 by phone and declared a state of emergency in an effort to provide more resources to the area.

“The winds are just wreaking havoc,” she said.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard said earlier that the fire was similar to the Sunrise Fire of 1995. Officials said during the news conference that they were confident the first would not reach that scale.

Sunrise Highway was closed to traffic but all lanes had reopened as of 8 p.m.

News 12 will have multiple updates on the East End fires from Logan Crawford and Carmen Grant through the evening.