Brush fires broke out in Suffolk County, Long Island over the weekend on Saturday, burning over 400 acres and closing several highways.

Citing dry conditions and high winds, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency and burn ban for Long Island, New York, and parts of the lower Hudson Valley, including Ulster County – a week before the annual statewide burn ban is set to go into effect.

And a reminder - this is how we’re ending a dry winter that was preceded by brushfires in Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan Counties in November.

Radio Catskill reporter Kimberly Izar spoke to John Hauschild, Sullivan County Fire Coordinator, about the recent wildfires we’ve seen in New York and nationally, as well as the upcoming statewide burn ban starting March 16.