Statewide Fire Ban in Effect Until October 15

Governor Kathy Hochul last week announced a two-week statewide burn ban, citing the increased risk of fire due to dry conditions enveloping the eastern half of the state, including all of Long Island.

The ban is set to remain in effect until at least Wednesday, October 15, when conditions will be reevaluated, the governor’s office said in a press release.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service forecast for the East End early this week called for a wet Wednesday, with up to three-quarters of an inch of rain expected to fall across the area.

A state fire danger map issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation shows that the entire eastern half of New York is at “high” risk for fire. That’s the middle level on a five-step scale that ranges from “low” to “extreme” fire risk.

“The ongoing nice weather is great for watching fall foliage or gathering with friends, but it also presents a higher risk for fires that put homes, businesses and our brave first responders at risk,” the governor said. “Many regions are already in a drought watch or warning due to the dry conditions, and with the fire risk rising in some parts of the state, it is important to keep everyone safe by implementing this temporary burn ban.”

The statewide ban prohibits the starting any fire to burn brush or debris as well as all uncontained fires, including campfires, and open fires used for cooking. Backyard fire pits and contained campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed, as are small, contained cooking fires.

The state already bans the burning of garbage or leaves, and several municipalities have burn bans currently in effect, the governor’s office stated.

September and October are typically the driest months of the year, but this past year, the East End has dodged disaster at least twice.

The first came in March when a series of small wildfires led to a major blaze that burned about 420 acres near Francis Gabreski Airport in Westhampton. In July, a small wildfire was successfully contained to an area about the size of a football field on the Napeague stretch in East Hampton Town.

Dry conditions as well as a large number of pine trees killed by the Japanese pine beetle were to blame in both cases.