Westhampton Brush Fire Contained After Burning 600 Acres on Long Island

Officials report progress in containment efforts, launch arson investigation, and assess environmental impacts.

The Westhampton brush fire, the largest of several fires in Suffolk County, has been contained after burning over 600 acres across eastern Long Island.
Firefighters are working to create fire breaks to prevent reignition, with containment efforts expected to continue into Monday if necessary.
Suffolk County police have launched an arson investigation, deploying detectives, drones, and helicopters to determine the cause of the fire.
Two commercial buildings sustained damage, but no residential structures were affected, and no evacuations were ordered during the incident.
Environmental experts noted that the Pine Barrens, a fire-dependent ecosystem, is expected to recover naturally, with controlled burns planned to improve forest health in the future.