NEW YORK (PIX11) – An 18-year-old died while fighting a 2,500-acre wildfire burning in New York and New Jersey, according to the New York State Police.
Dariel Vasquez was fighting a fire Saturday in Greenwood Lake with the New York State Parks Department when he died, police said. He was fatally injured by a fallen tree, according to the New York State Parks Department.
“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 in New Jersey and Orange County in New York, fire officials said. By Sunday morning, the flames had spread to burn 2,500 acres, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The fire was 0% contained Saturday evening.
The cause of the fire 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. In New York, a fire burned near the city's water supply stored in the Catskills.
"We continue to call on New Yorkers to do everything that's possible as we navigate the challenging time," Mayor Eric Adams told PIX11 News. "We must be conscious of brush fires. ... The loss of life is a signal of how dangerous it is."
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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