GREAT RIVER — With the wildfires that swept through eastern Long Island now contained, officials are saying the need for a fire prevention plan, in the form of controlled burns, is greater than ever. A controlled burn would mimic the ones that would occur naturally in a fire-dependent ecosystem, reducing the potential for larger, more dangerous fires.

Pine Barrens Society Executive Director Richard Amper said Long Island has to choose between having small controlled burns or large uncontrolled fires that threaten property and human life. Last week, a commission made up of state, local and county officials took the first step of seeking proposals for a prescribed burn plan and a contract to implement them. Officials say despite the rain that fell on Sunday Long Island is not safe from the threat of further wildfires this summer.