Fast-spreading wildfires, fueled by strong winds, swept across a large area of Long Island yesterday, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The fire, which sent thick gray smoke into the sky, forced the evacuation of a military base and the closure of a major highway.
New York Governor Kathy Hockley declared a state of emergency and announced that local fire departments were involved in extinguishing the flames around the Pine Barrens – a wooded area that includes suburbs of New York City.
Hawkel said the fire poses a risk to an Amazon chemical plant and warehouse and that more people will be evacuated.
“It (the fire) is not under control yet,“ the governor told the “News 12“ television channel. "There are people who need to be evacuated from the Westhampton area," she added.
Authorities said three of the four fires were fully contained, and the fire near Westhampton was about halfway contained.
Two businesses were partially burned, but no homes were near the fire, authorities said.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital with facial burns.
"Our biggest issue is the wind," said Ed Romaine, a Suffolk County executive. "It's fueling this fire," he added.
In a statement, Hockley said the National Guard had provided a helicopter to help with aerial firefighting and was working with law enforcement.