Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued a multi-regional burn ban for New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley — including Westchester — following the horrific brush fires that raged on Long Island over the weekend.
The burn ban, which went into effect on Sunday, prohibits outdoor fires to dispose of brush and debris, uncontained campfires, and open fires for cooking, Hochul said in her announcement. However, residents may still light backyard fire pits, small cooking fires, and contained campfires less than three feet tall and four feet wide.
The multi-regional ban will remain in effect until March 16, when a statewide ban begins. The state annually implements a burn ban, aiming to reduce the chances of wildfires during high-risk periods, which lasts until May 14.
These measures follow the series of fires that swept across Suffolk County over the weekend that destroyed an estimated 600 acres. The likely cause was a resident’s failed attempt at making s’mores, which, combined with strong winds and low humidity, turned into multiple brush fires, according to the Suffolk Police Department.
The resident initially used cardboard to light the fire, but was unable to do so due to the winds. “That person subsequently discovers that the fire does ignite and the backyard area all goes up in fire, ” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina at a news conference on Monday.
As the fires raged on Saturday, Hochul declared a state of emergency in Suffolk County. By Monday, the fires were 100 percent contained, according to Amanda Lefton, the acting commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Over the weekend, the Sound Shore narrowly escaped what could have been a similar catastrophe.
A two-alarm blaze ignited in a Mamaroneck home near the town’s northern border with Scarsdale on Saturday. The fire was “rapidly advancing” and “fully engulfed the structure,” according to the town of Mamaroneck Fire Department.
Photo courtesy Mamaroneck FD Instagram Page
High winds carried burning embers onto neighboring properties. Moments later, a brush fire measuring approximately 75 x 75 feet ignited a couple houses away.
Ultimately, Mamaroneck firefighters were able to contain the fires and reported no injuries. The Rye Fire Department provided mutual aid to the town during the emergency .
Repeated wildfires also spread through New York state late last year. Among them were the fires in Orange and Ulster counties —the state’s largest wildfire since 2008. In New York City, October 2024 was the driest month on record, and hundreds of wildfires followed.
In the event of a wildfire, the state Department of Environmental Conservation advises residents to call 911 immediately or to contact a forest ranger at 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264).
