Last weekend's sweeping brush fires across Long Island, which ultimately consumed more than 400 acres of land, have now been attributed to what started as an innocuous attempt to make s'mores in the backyard of a Center Moriches home. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina explained how an open flame used for food preparation, combined with high winds, transformed a family activity into a destructive force. According to Catalina, despite the fire being extinguished within an hour, wandering embers stoked additional blazes, as reported by PIX11.
The New York Post reported that the fires spread rapidly through areas near Sunrise Highway, requiring the collaborative effort of emergency responders from over 90 fire departments and EMS crews. The fires continued their onslaught through yesterday before being brought under control. This sequence of events began with the family's attempt to cook the campground treat around 9 a.m. last Saturday, despite the gusty conditions that rendered the food preparation a challenge and set off a larger catastrophe.
Efforts of containment and recovery are still in progress. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed that the fires are now completely confined. However, the DEC's rangers, in partnership with Suffolk County firefighters and additional local departments, remain diligently at work on eradicating lingering hot spots, particularly in the Eastport area of Eastern Long Island.
No injuries have been reported thus far. The DEC has reiterated the importance of practicing extreme caution with any kind of open fire, especially amidst conditions known to favor fire spread.
