NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A New York State forest ranger died on Saturday while helping fight one of the many brush fires raging across New York and New Jersey as the area reels from the blazes fed by drought conditions.
A forest ranger firefighter with the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department died while battling a forest fire in Greenwood Lake, Orange County, according to the Plattekill Fire Department.
The parks worker, identified by New York State Police as 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, was helping the fire response in Sterling Forest on Saturday afternoon when a tree fell on him and he died, according to reports from the Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue and the New York State forestry services. Police are investigating his death.
“Rip brother your shift is over job well done,” the New York State forestry services post said.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of our New York State Parks employees while responding to a wildfire in Orange County yesterday,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement on Sunday. “My prayers go out to his family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines.”
The wildfire burning in Passaic County, New Jersey and Orange County, New York was covering 2,500 acres, 0% contained and threatening 24 structures across both states on Sunday morning, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. Fire engines and ground crews remain on scene, and a forest fire service helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water is on scene.
A joint press conference will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Forest Protection and Fire Management to provide an update on the fire, which is being referred to as the Jennings Creek Wildfire. The agencies are fighting the blaze “in unified command.”
Some weather relief may aid fire response as bouts of rain and drizzle are expected in the Tri-State on Sunday evening, according to AccuWeather. The forecaster said that the potential for fires to spread remains elevated until rain begins.
“This is a major situation that we are dealing with. This fire has been going on the Jersey side and has now spread over to the New York side, but we also have some pop-up fires we've been dealing with,” Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said in a statement to residents. “We’re going to continue to work with our first responders to make sure you are protected. If, God forbid, you are in a situation where we have to evacuate you, we will let you know.”
The weather conditions leading up to the extensive brush fires on Saturday—a historically dry October and November fanned by wind—were primed for fire spreading.
At least six major brush fires have ravaged New Jersey, and while the Red Flag Warnings across the state and New York have expired, much of the area still faces elevated fire danger. Connecticut remains under Red Flag Warning.
Brush fires have also broken out across New York City amid dry weather conditions as the city remains under a drought watch. The city is likely facing a drought warning in coming weeks, New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol told 1010 WINS.
Among the “hundreds of brush fires across the five boroughs” that the FDNY has responded to in the last few weeks are two separate blazes in Prospect Park. The first raged from Friday night through early Saturday, while a short-term flare up on Saturday afternoon broke out near the LeFrak Center at Lakeside ice skating rink.
Fires in NYC have been snuffed out by FDNY brush fire units, but the smoke from all the blazes in the surrounding area are hurting air quality. An Air Quality Health Advisory is in effect through Sunday, issued by the state DEP and health department.
Mayor Eric Adams has banned grilling in NYC parks and Gov. Kathy Hochul has deployed state resources to respond to the fires.