Updated: Parks Worker Dies in Greenwood Lake, NY, Brush Fire
Editor's note: Original reports indicated that a forest ranger died, but the story has been updated to note the death of parks department worker.
Officials confirmed the death of an 18-year-old Parks and Recreation Aid at the Jennings Creek Fire at Greenwood Lake in Orange County.
Dariel Vasquez, who was employed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department died Saturday while working the Jennings Creek Fire in Sterling Forest, according to a statement from New York State Police Trooper Steven Nevel.
A tree fell, striking the Vasquez the Mid-Hudson News reported.
Forest rangers on scene began treatment and CPR on Vasquez.
He was taken to the hospital by helicopter where he succumbed to his injuries.
“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. “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. New York is battling multiple wildfires due to the dry conditions we are currently facing.”
The fire — which has consumed about 1,800 acres — is burning along the New York/New Jersey border. It's the largest of wildfires in the New York and New Jersey region where they are in a drought.
Smoke was coming from the heavily wooded area, but officials said that no structures were threatened.
Friday, two firefighters were injured when a large branch fell on them at a brush fire in Mansfield, RI.
Peter Matthews | Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department.
