Town Supervisor Maria Moore and the Town of Southampton Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management remind residents and visitors that the Town is still under a State of Emergency and there is a burn ban in effect from New York State due to the extremely dangerous fire weather conditions.
On November 8, 2024, Supervisor Maria Moore declared a State of Emergency and prohibited outdoor recreational fires for the Town of Southampton due to extremely dry conditions and elevated threat of extreme wildfire possibility that has also been characterized by the National Weather
Services as an “Explosive Fire Growth Potential” for our area. Since that time, the State of New York has also declared a burn ban as numerous fires have broken out in Suffolk County and other parts of the State. Although there is some chance of rain in the forecast, dry conditions persist and the extreme threat of wildfire remains very high.
Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore said, “We are experiencing record dry weather conditions in the Town of Southampton and surrounding areas. That condition coupled with increased fuel loads in wooded areas due to the impact of the Southern Pine Beetle in recent years creates a concerning scenario for us in the Town of Southampton and all of our dedicated local volunteer fire departments. We continue to urge residents not to become complacent in regard to the fire weather danger. Continue to refrain from all outdoor recreational fires.”
Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator, Ryan Murphy said, “Forecasts may call for the possibility of rain in the coming days, and although any rain would help to reduce some of the wildfire threat at this point, we will have to offset a significant period of dry weather.
Preventing wildfires is a whole-community effort and we must all work together to stay safe.”
Town of Southampton Chief Fire Marshal, John Rankin stated, “Even leading up to the 1995 wildfires, I cannot recall the National Weather Service indicating an ‘Explosive Fire Growth Potential.’ The conditions we face right now are very concerning and the Fire Marshal’s Office joins with Supervisor Moore in urging residents and visitors to follow the Burn Ban and refrain from all outdoor recreational fires.”
The New York State Burn Ban remains in effect until November 30th and the Town of Southampton State of Emergency is currently set to expire on December 8, 2024.
