Glen Cove firefighters tackle wildfires upstate

In a remarkable display of dedication and teamwork, Glen Cove firefighters recently joined a major operation to battle drought-fueled wildfires in upstate New York. The team’s deployment marked a significant milestone for the department, as they ventured further than ever before to support the state’s efforts to combat one of the largest wildfire outbreaks in recent memory.
The ongoing drought has left 15.3 million New York residents living in affected areas, with conditions worsening over the summer and fall. According to the Drought Monitor, this level of drought is not uncommon, with New York typically experiencing such conditions every two to three years. However, the situation has been exacerbated by climate change, which has led to earlier snowmelts, reduced spring water reserves, and an increase in rainfall rather than snowfall during winters. These factors have left the state more vulnerable to wildfires.
On November 18, the Glen Cove Fire Department responded to a call for assistance from the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office. Capt. Philip Grella III, Ex-Capt. Andrew Melillo, firefighter Rodni Leftwich Jr., firefighter John Fretto, and firefighter Pete Prudente, along with firefighter Pat McCann from Sea Cliff, volunteered to join the mission. The team departed Glen Cove at 4 a.m., arriving in Greenwood Lake, NY, around 7 a.m. After a briefing, they headed into the woods to begin an intensive eight-hour shift extinguishing spot fires and performing mop-up operations. Residents in Orange County were dealing with an extended state of emergency after dozens of households were asked to voluntarily evacuate from parts of Greenwood Lake due to the Jennings Creek wildfire.
As the crew battled the raging fires for 8 hours, a wake was held for fallen NYS Park aide Dariel Vasquez. Vasquez was killed while battling the Jennings Creek wildfire. Officials say the 18-year-old died on Nov. 9 when a tree fell on him while he was fighting the wildfire.
“It was unlike anything we’re used to,” Grella said. “We’re a structural firefighting department, so dealing with wildfires was a new challenge.”

Upon arrival, the team found themselves amidst a fire that had already scorched 5,300 acres across New York and New Jersey. Though the blaze was 88 percent contained, persistent dry soil and high winds allowed spot fires to ignite rapidly. Working alongside 12 other Nassau County fire departments and U.S. Fish and Wildlife wildland firefighters, the crew focused on digging into the dry, smoldering ground to extinguish fires burning below the surface.
“When we talk about underground fires, it’s not just the surface burning,” Grella said. “The flames reach roots buried three feet deep, and the only way to put them out is to dig up the ground and get to the source.”
The team used specialized axes with picks designed for digging, while helicopters dropped water from above to suppress the flames. Extensive hose systems were laid throughout the woods to provide water for the ground crews.
Despite the challenges, the firefighters embraced the opportunity to learn and adapt. “This was a learning curve for all of us,” Grella said. “We even saw helicopters picking up water from lakes—something we don’t encounter in our usual operations.”
This deployment marks one of the furthest missions undertaken by the Glen Cove Fire Department, whose previous notable efforts include responding to Suffolk County wildfires in the 1990s and aiding FDNY in Queens after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.