Sunrise Wildfire of 1995 Long Island Central Pine Barrens

dec sign commemorating fire

in late august-early september 1995, series of major brush fires swept through pine barrens region. first major fire incident occurred in rocky point, extinguished within days of outbreak. larger, more catastrophic fire erupted in westhampton area shortly after rocky point blaze brought end. fire, aided high winds , dry conditions, spread, threatening area homes , businesses. fire nicknamed sunrise wildfire , engulfed both sides of sunrise highway, major highway connecting hamptons region rest of long island. fires closed down highway , stopped railroad service, cutting hamptons off rest of island days firefighters on long island, fdny , connecticut worked around clock battle blaze.

by september, sunrise wildfire extinguished, results of fire, in addition rocky point fire, disastrous: approximately 7,000 acres (28 km) had burned, numerous homes , small businesses suffered damage, , 400 people forced evacuate homes. fire, erupted during peak of hamptons tourist season, resulted in considerable economic blow region. however, human toll light, few firefighters suffered injuries, , nobody killed in event.

as of 2007, region has recovered damage sustained, although vegetation still bears scars of fire. pine barren ecosystems highly adapted fire , require periodic fires maintain unique vegetation , wildlife.