Gov. Hochul declares state of emergency as wildfires rage on Long Island's South Shore

Jami Ganz, New York Daily News on Mar 8, 2025

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NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday as dozens of fire departments and the National Guard worked to extinguish multiple wildfires that broke out on the South Shore of Long Island, scorching the Pine Barrens and spreading for miles along the Sunrise Highway.

The governor announced shortly before 5:30 p.m. that she was “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,” she wrote on social media, referring to the Suffolk County executive director. She added that National Guard helicopters were assisting from the air as multiple state agencies worked on the ground.

An hour earlier, Hochul said the blazes — exacerbated by strong winds — had already destroyed “one or two homes,” according to News 12 Long Island. Multiple other structures, including a chemical factory and Gabreski Airport, appeared to be in danger as well.

Sunrise Highway was closed in both directions from Exit 55 to Westhampton Beach as more than 80 fire crews and Blackhawk helicopters worked furiously to battle the blazes, according to Suffolk County Police. Additional roads were being shut down as the fire threatened to jump across the highway.

Billowing smoke took over much of the island and could be seen across Long Island Sound as far as Connecticut. Videos posted to social media showed flames shooting into the air and thick, gray clouds dominating the sky.

By 6:30 p.m., three of four blazes — first reported around 1 p.m. in Center Moriches — were said to be fully contained, while a Westhampton fire was 50% contained.

Hochul said she had deployed personnel from multiple agencies, including 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.

“Public safety is my top priority, and I’m committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe,” Hochul said.

The Daily News has reached out to Hochul’s office for additional information.