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NEW YORK (AP) — New York firefighters defeated a declined brush fire on wooded Long Island on Sunday as officials warned that strong winds could make the area vulnerable to additional flames.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared an emergency a day ago after four separate fires broke out across a large strip of the pine underlying areas on Long Island, prompting the closure to the highway and evacuation of military bases.
As of Sunday, all visible flames had been defeated, according to Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sanderman. He said at a press conference on Sunday that he was working on containment routes around the fire to prevent the crew from spreading further. Officials said the fire had not grown since the beginning of Sunday.
Still, the authorities were cautious as gusts of wind were expected to be up to 30 miles (48 kph) on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
“We are worried because the wind is still blowing.
Romain thanked the firefighters who worked in the middle of the night, adding that over 80 volunteer fire stations fought the flames that had burned about 600 acres (243 hectares).
Two firefighters were hospitalized and released due to injuries, according to Thunderman.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Dozens of detectives interviewed 911 callers and used drones. Suffolk County officials said the police department’s arson squad had begun an investigation into the flames, but there was no immediate evidence to suggest arson.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of what happened,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. “At this point it is too early to determine whether this fire started naturally or if it has any evil origins.”
At least two commercial structures have been damaged.
About 15 miles (24 kilometres) west, officials were monitoring a small brush fire along Sunrise Highway early Sunday, said Daniel J. Panico, the town of Brookhaven. However, as of Sunday morning there was no visible flame.
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