MANORVILLE, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — Investigators tasked with determining the cause of the widespread Long Island brush fires over the weekend have linked the blazes to a backyard fire.
A probe by Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives determined that the brush fires that broke out Saturday were spurred by a fire built at a home on North Cozine Road in Manorville as an individual attempted to make s'mores.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said that somebody was out at around 9:30 a.m. to make s'mores and initially lit the fire using cardboard, but was unable to sustain it due to the winds. That person late discovered that the fire did ignite, and the backyard area went up in flames.
"All of those fires are in a direct line with the strong northwest wind that was blowing that day, and it is believed that the embers from each fire, traveled and continuously, started more fires," Catalina said.
A rescue helicopter carries water along Route 27 on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York.Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images
The blazes burned as 30 mph winds fanned the flames over the weekend, but Catalina said that officials feel "very, very strongly" that the fires were accidental.
The fires burned about 600 acres of the Pine Barrens along Sunrise Highway, according to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, and more than 80 volunteer fire departments battled the flames. Gov. Kathy Hochul also deployed the National Guard and state agency personnel to aid operations.
Two firefighters were hospitalized and released to treat injuries sustained in the response efforts.
The governor and Romaine declared a state of emergency in the area to allow for access to federal emergency funds, and the fires triggered Hochul to issue a burn ban for the area.
Firefigters assemble around rescue units while putting out fires on March 8, 2025 in Westhampton, New York.Andrew Theodorakis/Getty Images
The burn ban—which originally was slated to go in place statewide on March 16— is effective immediately for Long Island, New York City and parts of the Hudson Valley.
"Don't burn your leaves, any of the debris in your yard. Do not do that. Do not burn your garbage," state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said at a press conference on Monday. "Make sure you are not having any type of fire of that magnitude."
Once the ban is over, Lefton offered fire safety tips for contained fires so residents can help minimize the risk of brush fires.
"Keep it contained. No higher than 3 feet. Make sure the diameter is no longer than 4 feet. Extinguish your fire when you are done.
Do not leave a fire without anybody watching it," she said.
