Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and said state agencies were responding to the fires around the Pine Barrens, a wooded area that is home to commuter towns east of New York City. She said homes, a chemical factory and an Amazon warehouse were at risk and more evacuations may be needed.

Towns and communities in Long Island, New York, were on alert Saturday after brush fires spewed thick smoke into the air. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in Suffolk County as the fires raged on -- with gusty conditions expected to last through Sunday evening.