A New York firefighter is charged with arson after allegedly sparking a brush fire in Long Island amid dangerous red flag warnings.
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SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY
– A New York volunteer firefighter is facing serious charges after allegedly starting a brush fire on Long Island during dangerous weather conditions. The incident occurred in Medford on Tuesday, while red flag warnings were in effect due to high fire risk from extreme dryness and gusty winds.
Multiple Brush Fires Break Out Amid Red Flag Warnings
Firefighters were busy battling several brush fires in Medford on Tuesday, including one that allegedly traces back to Jonathan Quiles, a 20-year-old volunteer firefighter.
According to the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), Quiles is accused of intentionally starting a fire in the woods along Mount Vernon Avenue, which damaged a nearby parked vehicle. Authorities have charged Quiles with arson and reckless endangerment, while the SCPD Arson Squad continues its investigation into the incident.
Fire Department’s Immediate Response
In a statement released Wednesday, the Medford Fire Department confirmed that Quiles has been suspended. “If convicted, [he] will be terminated,” the department stated.
They further clarified their hiring protocols: “The Medford Fire District perform arson background checks before admitting members and there was no knowledge to suspect that this individual may have had any inclination of intentionally setting fires.”
This incident has raised concerns among community members, as fire departments rely heavily on volunteer firefighters to keep the region safe.
Extreme Weather Conditions Heightened the Fire Risk
The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning for the Long Island area on Tuesday, noting that extremely low humidity combined with wind gusts up to 35 mph could lead to rapid fire spread. The combination of these weather conditions put the region on high alert, making any ignition source a potential threat.
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