[3] The Pines, which has the most expensive real estate on Fire Island, has approximately 600 houses and a 100-unit condominium complex on its square mile of location.

If a person wishes to carry groceries, the traditional way to do so is to pull red wagons (commonly the popular Radio Flyer).

[8] The "harbor" is the area where all the commercial buildings are located, including docks for yachts, the passenger ferry from Sayville, and freight operations.

[11] Plans for development first began in 1952 when Warren and Arthur Smadbeck, doing business as the Home Guardian Company, announced plans to sell 122 lots in the new subdivision while building a private harbor for yachts, a large landing dock, and a private park facing the harbor.

The basic Smadbeck layout of the Pines remains to this day, including the Botel which was designed to be a simple, no-frills, dormitory-style accommodation for those who docked their yachts in the harbor.

Among the earliest property owners were Pola Negri, Xavier Cugat, Mary Martin and Joan McCracken.

[13] Peggy Fears, a Broadway showgirl, had discovered Lone Hill on an outing to a neighboring Fire Island community.

[14] The now more known landscape of Fire Island Pines took shape after the Botel and associated yacht club buildings burned on May 31, 1959.

For three decades, John B. Whyte helped attract a celebrity crowd and developed the area with a more sophisticated cachet.

In 2003, Whyte decided to sell all of his commercial holdings and sought out a specific buyer: Eric von Kuersteiner, who had been frequenting the Pines since the late 1980s.

In 2009, Matt Blesso, Andrew Kirtzman, and Seth Weissman were a trio of investors known as FIP Ventures.

[19] In January 2015, the majority of the commercial properties and operating businesses, including the Pavilion and Blue Whale, were purchased at auction by Ian Reisner for $10.1 million in debt and equity.

McAteer is the current operator of the Outpost Pines harbor businesses (Canteen, Pool Bar, Botel, Blue Whale, Bistro, Pizza, Sip & Twirl) with Reisner providing additional financial support.

Some of the bigger events include Fire Island Dance Festival, Invasion, Pines Party, and Ascension.

The Invasion of the Pines is a drag-queen parade held each year on July 4, commemorating the time when Whyte refused service to drag queen Terry Warren.

Proceeds go to lower profile organizations of the Stonewall Community Foundation (which uses the money to help those with HIV) and the Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association Charitable Foundation (which uses the funds to make improvements to the common areas).

Northwell Health operates two urgent care facilities on Fire Island (one in Cherry Grove and the other in nearby Ocean Beach).

If patients require medical treatment outside of those hours, the Immediate Care Center's physician can be reached on call by contacting local police.

In many cases, Long Island based ambulances will meet the boats once they cross the Bay (roughly 4.5 miles) and then drive individuals the short distance to one of the three hospitals.