New York Parks Employee Dies Fighting Wildfire as Air Quality Warnings Issued

Pompton Lakes, N.J. — A New York State Parks employee died while fighting a wildfire near the New York-New Jersey border, authorities said Sunday. The 18-year-old, Dariel Vasquez, was killed when a tree fell on him Saturday afternoon while battling the blaze in Sterling Forest, Greenwood Lake.

Vasquez, a Parks and Recreation aide, was part of the team working to control the Jennings Creek wildfire, which has spread over 3 square miles in Passaic County, New Jersey, and Orange County, New York. The fire has threatened homes and buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District.

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire continues to burn, and both New York and New Jersey have issued air quality warnings due to smoke. Residents are advised to stay indoors, especially those with respiratory problems.

Authorities are investigating Vasquez’s death, with the New York State Police leading the inquiry.