On Saturday, March 8th, at precisely 1:12 PM, the Riverhead Fire Department was activated for a critical mutual aid request to assist our brave counterparts in Westhampton Beach in combating a formidable brush fire. Our dedicated team, including two brush trucks (GIs) 6-2-12a and 6-2-12b, our new Tanker 6-2-7, and our mutual aid engine 6-2-4, responded promptly and courageously to the call of duty.

The brush fire, which erupted in the Westhampton pine barrens, burned approximately 400 acres and required the efforts of nearly 600 volunteers from 80 fire departments and 10 ambulance crews. The fire was 100% knocked down, meaning all visible flames were extinguished, but only 22% contained, as crews worked tirelessly to create a fire break around the perimeter. Strong winds and dry conditions fueled the fire, making it a challenging battle for all involved.

Two commercial buildings were affected by the fire, with one being destroyed and the other suffering significant damage. Fortunately, no homes were burned, and the collaborative efforts of the firefighters prevented the fire from spreading further.