Suffolk firefighters discuss brushfire battles
News 12's Thema Ponton returns to Medford where firefighters battle brushfire in almost the same place a fire sparked a week ago.
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On the same day more than a dozen brushfires were reported across Long Island, fire officials say one in Medford sparked in almost the same spot firefighters battled flames a week ago.
The fire was reported deep in the woods near Prospect Avenue and Granny Road.
Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Rudolph Sunderman says as of Tuesday, there have been 239 calls for brushfires in Suffolk since Oct. 13.
In Nassau, Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro says the county had five minor brush fires Tuesday and about 67 since Oct. 25.
Town of Brookhaven Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Michael Matteo, Jr. tells News 12 a number of factors are fueling these fires, including lots of undergrowth, pine beetles killing a lot of trees, lack of previous brushfires and drought conditions.
"The brushfires, so far, have been contained to the large wooded areas we have left in Brookhaven, but every brushfire burns a little closer to the residential communities, so we're really concerned about that." said Matteo.
As News 12 meteorologists have reported, there is rain in the forecast this week and firefighters are hoping that helps stop some of these fires.
"Hopefully, we'll get enough of a drenching rain to really soak down those areas, if not, by next week we'll be starting again next week." said Matteo.
