A New York Parks and Recreation worker died while battling one of several wildfires raging in New Jersey and New York amid dry conditions prompting air quality warnings in both states, authorities reported on Sunday.
New York State Police identified the state Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department employee as 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, who was among those battling the fire Saturday in Greenwood Lake, near the New Jersey border. Officials said a tree fell on him.
“I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “My prayers go out to his family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time.”
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The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Forest Fire Service reported that the extensive blaze had covered over 3 square miles (about 8 square kilometers) near the border in Passaic County’s West Milford and Orange County, New York. Named the Jennings Creek wildfire, it posed a threat to two homes and eight buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District.
Health advisories were issued for parts of New York and northeastern New Jersey due to unhealthy air quality from the smoke, urging people, especially the young, elderly, and those with asthma or heart disease, to limit strenuous outdoor activities.
The fires come amid a prolonged drought in the region, which city officials say is worsening the risk of fire and hampering containment efforts. Zachary Iscol, New York City’s commissioner of emergency management, told The New York Times that region’s drought would continue over the next two months.
This is a developing news story and will be updated with more information.
Update: 11/10/2024, 12:34 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to correct Daniel Vasquez’s employer and job description.
