Brush fires spread from Moriches to West Hampton

As of 1 p.m. today, brush fires started in Center Moriches and have since spread to West Hampton. About 80 fire departments and 20 EMS agencies responded.
The fires, according to Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, started in Center Moriches and moved “very quickly” east to East Moriches and Eastport and now currently in West Hampton.
He estimated the fire was 2 miles long and about 2.5 miles wide at its largest.
The fire has also jumped across CR-31 to the Gabreski Airport where several structures were burned.
“Thank you to all who are fighting this fire,” Romaine said also noting one firefighter was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital for face burns.
He said the National Guard has been called to fly water drops to help contain the fires as well as assistance from the state, Nassau County, South Hampton and Brookhaven Towns.
Brookhaven Town Supervisor said due to the cooperation and support of everyone involved the fires will not spread to that equivalent to the fires of 1995.
“We are in this together,” he said.
The biggest issue, according to Romaine and Suffolk County Fire Rescue Commissioner Rudy Sunderman were the strong winds, which are gusting at about 30-35 mph.
Suffolk County Fire Rescue Services released a warning earlier today noting the elevated risk for fire spread due to low relative humidity near 30% and northwest winds.
According to the Suffolk County Police Department, Eastbound Sunrise Highway is closed at William Floyd as well as Chapman Road bridge.