Town of East Hampton Prepared for Fourth of July Holiday Weekend, Expands Cooling Options • East Hampton Town, NY

With extreme heat forecast for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Town of East Hampton is taking additional steps to help residents and visitors stay safe, cool, and informed.

Ocean beach lifeguard hours will be extended to 6:00 PM from Thursday, July 2 through Saturday, July 4, giving beachgoers additional time to cool off safely at some lifeguarded Town ocean and bay beaches. Cooling locations will also be available July 1 through July 4 at Town facilities, libraries, the Montauk Playhouse, and lifeguarded beaches.

The Town is also prepared to welcome residents and visitors for a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend, with coordinated staffing and public safety operations across the East Hampton Town Police Department, Marine Patrol, Ordinance Enforcement, Traffic Control, Recreation, and other Town departments.

“We are facing a stretch of serious heat, and the Town is doing what we can to help people stay safe,” said Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “By extending ocean beach hours and sharing cooling center information, we want to make sure residents and visitors have places to cool off during the hottest part of the holiday weekend. Our Police Department, Marine Patrol, Ordinance Enforcement, Traffic Control Officers, lifeguards, and Town staff will be out working throughout the weekend, and we ask everyone to do their part by staying hydrated, checking on neighbors, driving safely, and making room for emergency responders.”

Heat Safety and Cooling Locations

Residents and visitors are urged to take the heat seriously, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, drink plenty of water, and check on older adults, young children, people with health conditions, outdoor workers, and neighbors who may not have reliable access to air conditioning.

All Town ocean beaches will have lifeguard coverage until 6:00 PM from Thursday, July 2 through Saturday, July 4.

Bay beaches will remain lifeguarded until 5:00 PM, with two exceptions: Big Albert’s Landing will have lifeguard coverage until 6:00 PM on Friday, July 3, and East Lake “Gin” Beach will have lifeguard coverage until 6:00 PM on Saturday, July 4.

Cooling locations will also be available July 1 through July 4 at Town facilities, libraries, the Montauk Playhouse, and lifeguarded beaches. Hours vary by day and location.

The Town is sharing the full cooling center schedule on its website and social media channels.

East Hampton Town Recreation Department

All Town of East Hampton lifeguarded beaches are open for the season.

In response to the extreme heat, all Town ocean beaches will have extended lifeguard coverage until 6:00 PM from Thursday, July 2 through Saturday, July 4. Town ocean beaches include Indian Wells, Atlantic Avenue, Kirk Park, South Edison, and Ditch Plains.

Bay beaches are lifeguarded daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Big Albert’s Landing, Maidstone, and East Lake “Gin” Beach. Big Albert’s Landing will have extended lifeguard coverage until 6:00 PM on Friday, July 3, and East Lake “Gin” Beach will have extended lifeguard coverage until 6:00 PM on Saturday, July 4.

Swimmers should always stay within designated lifeguarded areas.

Beachgoers are asked to check ocean conditions and beach flag colors at the lifeguard stands:

Green Flag: Safe to swim. Calm conditions.

Yellow Flag: Caution due to rip currents. Weak swimmers should stay close to shore.

Red Flag: Dangerous conditions. Only experienced swimmers with fins permitted.

Beach condition information can also be accessed by scanning QR codes at each ocean beach or by visiting the Town website or by using this link.

East Hampton Town Police Department

• The East Hampton Town Police Department will be fully staffed around the clock over the long weekend, with supplemental staffing of both full-time and part-time officers during overnight hours.
• Foot patrols will be on duty monitoring the business districts of Montauk and Amagansett, with a focus on quality-of-life violations and traffic safety.
• STOP DWI overtime shifts have been assigned throughout the weekend to further support road safety.
• Traffic Control Officers will be on duty each day.

Fireworks and Special Event Staffing

The Devon Fireworks special event on July 3 will be fully staffed with Police, Marine Patrol, and Traffic Control Officers to support the safety of attendees and help keep traffic moving. Marine Patrol will have one vessel on the water, along with a Coast Guard vessel, and six Marine Patrol officers assigned to relevant beaches.

The Montauk Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Fireworks will take place on July 4, this year from the waters north of the Montauk Inlet. The event will be fully staffed with Police, Marine Patrol, and Traffic Control Officers. Marine Patrol will have three vessels on the water, along with Coast Guard and DEC vessels, and four Marine Patrol officers assigned to relevant beaches.

Complimentary shuttle service will be provided by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce for the Montauk fireworks from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to help ease traffic congestion. Shuttles will transport attendees to Gin Beach, the Gosman’s Dock area, and the Lighthouse. Pickup locations include Kirk Park, Lions Field, and the Malibu Motel. The Hamptons Hopper will also be running its usual schedule.

Gin Beach will be closed to beach vehicle traffic for the Montauk fireworks event from the county park access to the Montauk Inlet.

East Hampton Town Marine Patrol

• East Hampton Town Marine Patrol will be staffed throughout the holiday weekend, with additional coverage for fireworks events and beach and waterway safety.
• Marine Patrol vessels, along with partner agency vessels, will monitor waterways during the Devon Fireworks on July 3 and the Montauk Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Fireworks on July 4.
• Boaters are reminded to operate safely, follow all navigation rules, avoid impaired boating, and comply with instructions from Marine Patrol, Coast Guard, DEC, and other public safety personnel.
• Marine Patrol is also reminding beachgoers to follow Town beach fire rules. Beach fires must be contained in metal containers and use only clean, nail-free wood. Fires must be kept at least 50 feet from dune grass, a two-gallon bucket of water should be kept nearby, and all fires must be fully extinguished by midnight. Beachgoers are also asked to leave no trace and remove all debris when they leave.

East Hampton Town Ordinance Enforcement

East Hampton Town Ordinance Enforcement will be on fully staffed during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Additional staffing will be deployed on Montauk and Amagansett Main Streets, focusing on public safety and code compliance.

Traffic and Emergency Vehicle Reminder

Traffic congestion is expected, particularly during the fireworks events. Drivers are urged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and follow the direction of Police and Traffic Control Officers.

Drivers are also reminded to move over and yield to emergency vehicles, including fire and ambulance responders. Clearing the way promptly helps first responders reach their destinations safely.

Non-Emergency Contacts

For non-emergency issues, please call the East Hampton Town Police Department at 631-537-7575.

The Town of East Hampton wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday weekend on land and on the water.