A series of fast-moving wildfires erupted Saturday afternoon in New York’s affluent Hamptons region, forcing residents to evacuate and prompting a massive emergency response.
The blazes, which broke out along Sunrise Highway near Riverhead and East Hampton on Long Island, have engulfed the area in thick smoke, closing major roads and raising alarm among locals and officials alike.
According to the Eastport Fire Department, flames were first reported shortly after midday, rapidly spreading due to dry conditions and strong northwest winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour.
The Suffolk County Police Department quickly shut down Sunrise Highway in both directions, stranding drivers who were seen fleeing the encroaching flames.
Southampton police Detective Sergeant Gina Laferrera urged the public to avoid the area, warning that “additional road closures may occur due to the ever-changing situation,” in a statement emailed to local outlets.
The wildfires have struck a region known for its wealth and exclusivity, with the Hamptons serving as a summer retreat for New York’s elite.
Panicked residents shared dramatic photos and videos of towering flames and smoky skies, while some reported being told by firefighters to evacuate homes near the blaze.
Tanya Layburn, a local resident, described a harrowing escape with her children to Newsday: “We almost didn’t know if we were gonna get out of there. We just backed it up and got the hell out.”
More than 40 fire departments have descended on the scene, battling to contain the fires amid challenging weather conditions.
Experts pointed to Saturday’s low humidity—around 30 percent—and gusty winds as key factors fueling the fire’s intensity.
“Whenever you tie that in with low humidity, it can lead to an elevated risk for fire spread,” meteorologist Bryan Ramsey of the National Weather Service told Newsday earlier in the day, presciently warning of the danger before the blazes ignited.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the crisis in a statement, confirming that her office is coordinating with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.
“The New York National Guard has already begun providing air support by helicopter and is working with local law enforcement,” Hochul said. She also noted to News 12 that “one or two homes” had been destroyed, with others still in jeopardy as the fires rage on.
The scale of destruction remains unclear, with Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services declining to provide detailed updates when contacted by reporters, citing the ongoing nature of the response.
However, the situation has drawn comparisons to other recent wildfires across the U.S., where dry conditions and high winds have overwhelmed firefighting efforts.
For now, the priority remains containment and ensuring resident safety. Southampton Town Councilman Bill Pell told local media that the fire was encroaching on Hampton West Estates, hinting at potential further evacuation orders.
Meanwhile, the National Guard’s presence near Francis S. Gabreski Airport, which has also been evacuated, underscores the severity of the unfolding disaster.
As the sun sets over Long Island, the glow of flames and plumes of smoke paint an apocalyptic scene in this wealthy enclave.
With weather conditions unlikely to ease immediately, authorities and residents brace for a long night ahead, hoping for containment before the fires claim more of the Hamptons’ storied landscape.
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