Flames Engulf West Hills County Park

Flames ripped through West Hills County Park in Melville late Sunday night.

More than 100 firefighters from 10 different departments worked for two and a half hours to extinguish a large brush fire, which overtook more than four acres of woods within the park. 

Sparks began around 11:30 p.m. Sunday. Assistant Chief Jason Bernfeld, of the Melville Fire Department, said that it took about 45 minutes for fire personal to control the fire. Responders then continued to extinguish the lingering embers.

Due to the woody terrain, ATVs and other specialized equipment were used to navigate the thickets of brush throughout the park. The Dix Hills, Deer Park, Wyandanch, West Islip, Plainview, Bethpage, Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington and Huntington Manor departments were called in for needed manpower and equipment. 

Four firefighters suffered minor injuries in the blaze. Two were treated by medical personnel on the scene. The others were sent for care at Plainview Hospital.

The season’s combination of windy and dry weather has sparked several brush fires across Suffolk County in recent weeks. Low humidity and gusty winds have triggered a red flag warning from the National Weather Service. The alert, which represents critical fire conditions, remains in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.