Dry weather, invasive southern pine beetle heighten wildfire concerns on Long Island
Drivers heading east may notice large stretches of pine forest scarred by the southern pine beetle, an invasive species that has devastated thousands of trees in Suffolk County.
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Dry conditions and gusty winds are already raising the risk of wildfires across Long Island — but experts warn an invasive insect is making the situation even more dangerous.
Drivers heading east may notice large stretches of pine forest scarred by the southern pine beetle, an invasive species that has devastated thousands of trees in Suffolk County. Arborist Evan Dackow, with Jolly Green Tree & Shrub Care, says the beetle targets healthy pines, leaving behind dead, brittle wood.
“You’ll see it everywhere,” Dackow said. “Dry wood is potential fuel. It’s unfortunately ravaged a lot of the natural pines that we have.”
Officials say that dead timber doesn’t just increase the likelihood of a fire — it also creates new hazards for firefighters. During last year’s wildfires in Westhampton and Eastport, which burned roughly 400 acres, county leaders pointed to the beetle infestation as a contributing factor.
Ryan Murphy, Southampton’s emergency manager, says the weakened trees can collapse without warning.
“The dead trees are more of a hazard for firefighters because they can come down more easily,” Murphy said. “They can fall on top of vehicles and people out operating in the woods.”
The threat is compounded by current weather conditions. Western Nassau County and eastern Suffolk County are already experiencing a moderate drought, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a burn ban through next Thursday. That includes backyard fire pits, which are prohibited until conditions improve.
“The risk is very high,” said John Rankin, Southampton’s chief fire marshal. “It’s not going to take much — especially with the weather conditions the way they are — for a small fire to grow into something very large.”
