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Investigators are still looking into how the wildfire
started in the Pine Barrens of Suffolk County, and Governor Andrew Cuomo
declared a state of emergency in Suffolk County on Long Island.
The fire burned up 1,124 acres of land and it has been
largely contained, although the winds have picked up and could cause some
additional flare-ups.
“All the ingredients were there for a real tragedy,” Cuomo
said right after touring the scene from a helicopter over Manorville and Ridge.
“This is a situation that could have gotten out of control. If you lost control
of a fire this large, it could have been very, very, very bad.”
Cuomo also praised the efforts of the response teams,
including the volunteer firefighters. Although there were no casualties, the
seventh largest fire in state history burned down three homes and left three
firefighters injured.
Jerome Hauer, state commissioner of homeland security and
emergency services, warned that conditions for additional fires will remain
optimal for at least another 10 days (recordonline.com).
“People are going to need to be very careful with outside
burning of any kind,” said Hauer. “Anything they do outdoors, whether
cigarettes or barbecues has the potential of lighting the underbrush.”
Of the three injured firefighters, two were released from
Stony Brook University Medical Center after being treated for smoke inhalation,
and one was admitted with first and second-degree burns.
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