Following brush fires in Long Island, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a burn ban until March 16, when New York’s annual statewide burn ban takes effect.

The Lower Hudson Valley and other parts of New York are under an early burn ban ahead of a statewide ban that starts Sunday, March 16.

Gov. Kathy Hochul expanded emergency measures as firefighters continued battling the aftermath of weekend brush fires in Suffolk County, issuing an immediate burn ban for Long Island, New York City and parts of the Hudson Valley.

The ban follows a state of emergency declared in Suffolk County by Hochul to deploy ground and air support to assist with the effort to control the fire. Firefighters from across Long Island battled the blaze. Air National Guard helicopters dropped water on the flames.

Brush fires that burned hundreds of acres on Long Island over the weekend are under control but a burn ban remains in place. More than 90 fire departments and EMS crews, as well as the National Guard,