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Date: August 21, 2009
Contact: Jay Lippert, Chief Ranger, 631-687-4757
Contact: Paula Valentine, 631-687-4759

Fire Island National Seashore Superintendent Chris Soller has announced that all Fire Island beaches will be closed to swimming by Saturday morning, or earlier if conditions warrant.

With Hurricane Bill’s anticipated arrival as close as 250 miles from Montauk Point this weekend, surf conditions are expected to start building this afternoon, with the potential for dangerous rip currents. The National Weather Service estimates that surf conditions will be 8-12 feet Saturday and will continue building to a peak as high as 16 feet on the high tide Sunday morning.

The closure for swimming within Fire Island National Seashore is expected to be in effect through this weekend.

For More Information:

National Hurricane Center advisories on Hurricane Bill: www.nhc.noaa.gov/#BILL

National Weather Service weather forecast for Ocean Beach, Fire Island

For more information about Fire Island National Seashore closures, contact Chief Ranger Jay Lippert at 631-687-4757, or visit the park’s home page at www.nps.gov/fiis.

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