Police

Brush fire in Laurel brings to light growing danger

TIM GANNON PHOTO | A small brush fire in Laurel Tuesday brings to light the growing danger this time of year to brush fires, a year after the massive wildfire in Manorville, Calverton and Ridge.

Firefighters from the Mattituck and Cutchogue departments put out a brush fire deep in the woods off Kirkup Drive in Laurel Tuesday afternoon.

The fire, which was called in about 1 p.m., was in a cedar tree farm southwest of the Juniper Hill greenhouses.

Firefighters had it out shortly after it 2 p.m., but it brings it to light how this is the worst time of year for brush fires, according to Mattituck Fire Chief Vinnie Tirelli.

“The county just upgraded it to high alert,” he said. “Everything is perfect for brush fires. With this one, the wind picked up right when I got here and ran the fire [in another direction].”

The Mattituck department responded with two engines, a tanker and an ambulance, and Cutchogue brought a brush truck, Mr. Tirelli said.

No one was injured, he said.

Tuesday’s brush fire occurred exactly one year after the large brush fire that burned more than 1,000 acres in Manorville, Ridge and Calverton last year.

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