By Isabel Keane, New York Post
An 18-year-old New York state parks worker and high-school baseball star died fighting a large wildfire in Orange County over the weekend, officials said.
Dariel Vasquez was killed while battling a massive 2,000-acre forest fire in Sterling Forest, not far from the New Jersey border, on Saturday, authorities announced.
The New Jersey blaze, which has become known as the Jennings Creek wildfire, stretches the New York-New Jersey border and threatens 10 structures, including the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, New Jersey Forest Fire Service said.
The West Milford Fire Department said firefighters had plans to begin backburn operations in the area of East Shore Road, Long Pond Iron Works, and various areas of Ringwood off Margaret King Boulevard.
The multi-jurisdictional fire has seen the involvement of 43 municipalities in the area from Passaic, Morris, Sussex, and Bergen counties for the structure protection of all buildings and roadways, the department said.
State Police said the dead teen worked as an aide employed by the state Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department.
Eastern Duchess County Fire and Rescue wrote in a Facebook post that a tree fell on the teen and killed him.
“Orange County Emergency Services wishes to extend our condolences as we mourn the passing of a dedicated service member we lost today during the Greenwood Lake brush fire response,” the agency said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of this brave individual.”
A GoFundMe set up for the teen’s family described the Ramapo High School senior as “a young man full of promise, hope, and dedication.
“Born into a family known for community service, Dariel embraced this legacy wholeheartedly. He was not only an admired figure in his community but a guiding light for his family,” the fundraiser read.
Vasquez’s death comes as firefighters battle severe brush fires across New Jersey and the Hudson Valley as the region’s bone-dry and gusty wind conditions sparked massive blazes.
An air quality alert has been in effect for New York City and the Hudson Valley, along with northern New Jersey.
Red flag warnings will remain in effect from the Garden State to the Big Apple and southern Connecticut until 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Firefighters have been battling multiple blazes across the state this weekend, including a two-acre inferno that broke out Friday night in a densely wooded area of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
Related forest fire news:
Air quality remains poor in NYC as fires burn in NY, NJ: NWS
Wildfire smoke in South Jersey setting off carbon monoxide detectors
Here’s the latest on five forest fires raging in bone-dry New Jersey
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