Smithtown Fire Department Responds to Ridge Brush Fires

The sent out one engine and one chief Monday to help battle the Ridge brush fires, the department confirmed Monday night.

Smithtown Fire Department Chief John Hansen said as of 9:30 p.m. that the firefighters were on their way back and would return tomorrow.

"They are going to let it burn tonight and go back in the morning so no one gets injured at night," he said.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone warned locals that as darkness has fallen, the dangers surround the raging brush fires in Ridge have grown – and it could be days before the fires are extinguished.

"This a rapidly shifting situation," Bellone said at a press conference Monday night, urging people to stay as far away from the scene as possible to let firefighters do their work. "This fire could go on for some time."

Three firefighters have been injured and treated at the Stony Brook University Burn center; one has been admitted with 2nd and 3rd degree burns.

No fatalities have been reported.

Currently, 236 homes are without power and the county is coordinating with the Long Island Power Authority and National Grid.

The Primrose Path area of Manorville has also been evacuated.

Fires are still not contained and are moving in a southeasterly direction. It is not yet clear how the fires started.

A Manorville fire truck was destroyed in the blaze.