New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday afternoon as dozens of fire departments responded to Long Island’s Pine Barrens to gain control of massive brush fires fueled by strong winds.

Massive, wind-whipped brush fires are raging across parts of Long Island's Pine Barrens region on Saturday, prompting a large emergency response to control the blazes that led to a local State of Emergency in the town of Southampton in Suffolk County.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday after several wind-driven brush fires broke out in New York’s Long Island, sending large smoke plumes into the air and shutting down a highway.