A Team Effort

It goes without saying — but let’s not let it.

The weekend’s sudden drama was a spectacular reminder of a couple of things: how delicate our balance with nature is, how devastating human activity can be without ill intention, how risky the new extreme weather and resulting conditions are, and, once again, how much in debt the entire region is to the men and women who run toward danger instead of away.

The weekend’s wildfires near Gabreski Airport made for stunning visuals, with walls of flame and columns of smoke, and the entire situation brought back memories of past conflagrations in the Pine Barrens. This time, the fire was huge, covering well over 400 acres, but the response kept it largely contained, despite windy and dry conditions that created a literal tinderbox.

Ultimately, two firefighters were injured, and two businesses were damaged by the wildfires — but, remarkably, no homes burned, and the fire was mostly under control by nightfall. It was, hands down, a big victory that should be celebrated.

Make sure you keep in mind just what a team effort it was. There were some 600 firefighters and first responders from dozens of departments all over the region; the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, the primary responders, said 80 companies were on standby or provided support. In just a few hours, all that manpower and equipment was coordinated, directed and effective.

Beyond the volunteer fire departments, the firefighters at Gabreski Airport were activated and joined the response. Fire crews worked together to keep the flames from reaching key parts of the airport — including a building where explosive fuels were stored. It’s difficult to even imagine the damage that was averted.

There also were the Southampton Town employees: Highway Department workers out with payloaders, the town’s fire marshals and police detectives joined their Suffolk County colleagues working on the post-fire investigations (as one massive undertaking ended, their work was just beginning). Along with Westhampton’s firefighters, the Eastport Fire Department was actively fighting brush fires near Speonk-Riverhead Road on both days, and there were other fires to fight all weekend in some departments. It was an exhausting, sleepless weekend for many men and women volunteers.

And there were so many others whose efforts might be overshadowed. For instance, the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, which worked all weekend protecting turtles even as their facility had to be temporarily evacuated.

Also the Westhampton Beach Fire Department made a point of thanking all the people and businesses who turned out to support the firefighters with all kinds of backup, refreshments, supplies of all kinds.

On Monday, the Suffolk County Police Arson Section determined that the brush fires started innocently: a Manorville family making s’mores outside, with embers from their fire blowing seemingly harmlessly in the winds. It’s a not-so-gentle reminder: When the National Weather Service in Upton issues a “special weather statement” urging caution in dry and windy conditions — as it did early Saturday morning, well before the fire began — people need to listen, and act accordingly.

Meanwhile, a side note: The National Weather Service’s role in providing early warning is currently on the chopping block, subject to sweeping cuts in federal spending in Washington, D.C. Perhaps Saturday drives home a point that seems obvious: There is a difference between cost and value, and cuts that sacrifice the safety of local residents are no bargain.