NEW YORK (WPIX) — An 18-year-old New York forest ranger has died while fighting a 2,000-acre wildfire burning in New York and New Jersey, according to New York State Police.
Dariel Vasquez was among those battling the fire Saturday in Greenwood Lake, near the New Jersey border, when he died, police said. Officials said a tree fell on him.
“Rip brother your shift is over job well done,” a post from the Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue said.
“I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “My prayers go out to his family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time.”
The fire broke out Saturday in West Milford, New Jersey and in New York's Orange County, officials said. By Saturday night, the flames had spread to roughly 2,000 acres, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The fire was 0% contained Saturday evening.
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Smoke from a forest fire rises above the trees in Evesham, N.J. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, when firefighters said conditions were the driest in New Jersey in nearly 120 years. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry) ![]()
Smoke from a forest fire rises above the trees in Evesham, N.J. on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
The cause of the fire, dubbed the Jennings Creek wildfire, is still unknown, fire officials said.
“Our State employees are working around the clock to protect our communities and we are keeping them close in our thoughts as they put their lives on the line to stop the spread of these wildfires,” Hochul said.
Multiple other fires burned over the weekend, including a blaze in Pompton Lakes, fire officials said. That fire, which was threatening 55 homes, was reported to be 75% contained as of Sunday. In New York, a fire burned near New York City's water supply, which is stored in the Catskills.
Progress was reported on fires in the Bethany Run area on the border of Burlington and Camden counties in Evesham and Voorhees townships; a blaze along the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs in Bergen County; and the Pheasant Run wildfire in the Glassboro wildlife protection area of Gloucester County.
Prosecutors in Ocean County on late Saturday afternoon announced arson and firearms charges in connection with a 350-acre Jackson Township fire that started Wednesday. They said it was sparked by magnesium shards from a shotgun round on the berm of a shooting range. Officials said firing that kind of “incendiary or tracer ammunition” was barred in the state. The majority of the blaze has been contained, officials reported Friday.
Health advisories were issued for parts of New York and northeastern New Jersey due to unhealthy air quality due to smoke from the fires. People were urged to limit strenuous outdoor physical activity if possible; those especially sensitive included the very young and very old and people with ailments such as asthma and heart disease.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.