A firefighter from Medford, New York, has been arrested for allegedly starting a brush fire in Suffolk County on Long Island despite the dry conditions in the region, according to police.
Suffolk County police arrested 20-year-old Jonathan Quiles, a volunteer firefighter in the village of Medford, for allegedly starting a fire in a wooded area around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Along with the wooded area, a car parked nearby was damaged, police said.
Quiles has reportedly been suspended from his position with the Medford Fire Department and, if found guilty, will be terminated, the Medford Fire District said in a press release posted on social media.
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Jonathan Quiles, of Medford, NY, a volunteer firefighter, is suspected of intentionally burning brush, according to police. (Pool photos)
“The Medford Fire District conducts an arson background check prior to accepting members, and there was no information to suspect that this individual may have had the intent to set a fire on purpose,” the district noted. “This incident is still being investigated by the [Suffolk County Police Department] An arson squad.”
Quiles was charged with fourth-degree vandalism, fifth-degree arson and reckless endangerment. Court records show he denies the charges.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney released a statement regarding Quiles’ arrest.
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Volunteer firefighters from multiple fire departments battled a brush fire at Twelve Pines Park on Tuesday in Medford, NY. (Steve Pfost/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
“Unfortunately, under New York’s ‘bail reform,’ setting fires intentionally in dangerous situations and the statewide burn ban are not bail-eligible charges, which means my prosecutors can’t even ask for bail on these charges,” Tierney said. “Our New York lawmakers need to get their act together and pass fixes to the broken bail system.”
New York issued a statewide burn ban on November 30 due to dry conditions and recent wildfires across the state.
A burn ban means outdoor fires of brush and debris, open fires, recreational fires and open fires for cooking are not allowed.
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On social media, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York emphasized the importance of a burn ban.
“People of New York: It is important to avoid any external combustion at this time,” he wrote in X. “Remember to report any fires immediately to authorities, stay alert, and monitor your local weather forecast and law enforcement warnings.”
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