As of 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, brush fires started in Center Moriches and have since spread to West Hampton. About 80 fire departments and 20 EMS agencies responded.

“We had over 90 agencies respond with about 600 personnel to for the fire. Multiple fires off CR31 and Sunrise Highway burned an estimated 400 acres,” said Suffolk County Fire Rescue commissioner Rudy Sunderman. “All visible fire has been knocked down at this time, and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is working with Suffolk County Department of Public Works on containment.”

Sunderman, as of Monday, March 10, said the fire has been fully contained, with some hot spots but no flames. 

Following an investigation by Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives, the cause of multiple brush fires on March 8 has been preliminarily ruled accidental. Detectives believe the cause is related to a fire that spread following an attempt to make s’mores at a home on North Cozine Road, in Manorville.

It’s believed strong winds spurred additional fires from embers leading to the brush fires.

Police are continuing to speak with witnesses and investigate tips.

DEC commissioner Amanda Lefton said a statewide outdoor burning ban was put into effect on March 16 and will go into effect for Long Island immediately.

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 also jumped across CR-31to 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 minor 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, Southampton and Brookhaven towns.

Brookhaven Town supervisor said that due to the cooperation and support of everyone involved, the fires will not spread to the extent of the fires in 1995.

“We are in this together,” he said on Sunday.

On Sunday, crews used bulldozers and other heavy equipment to clear the area of trees in order to fight the spread of the fires.

Long Island experienced a severe drought since the fall of 2024, which is considered a significant factor in the spread of the fire. Also, acres of dead trees caused by an infestation of the southern pine beetle contributed to the rapid spread of the fire over a 3-mile-by-one-mile tract of forest.

The biggest issue, though, according to Romaine and Sunderman, were the strong winds, which were gusting at about 30 to 35 miles per hour.

Suffolk County Fire Rescue Services released a warning earlier today noting the elevated risk for fire spread due to low relative humidity near 30 percent and northwest winds.

According to the Suffolk County Police Department, Eastbound Sunrise Highway is closed at William Floyd as well as Chapman Road bridge.

Gary Haber contributed to this story.