Tragic Loss of Young NY State Parks Employee in Greenwood Lake Fire Amidst Worsening Wildfires Across Hudson Valley

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Posted on 11/10/2024 4:21:30 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

Greenwood Lake, NY – A Park Ranger tragically lost his life in the line of duty on Saturday, while battling a raging fire in Greenwood Lake alongside his colleagues. The fire is one of several that are being battled by Fire Departments and NY agencies across the Hudson Valley.

Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old Parks and Recreation Aid employed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, died Saturday, November 9, while assisting in the fight against the Jennings Creek wildfire in Sterling Forest, located near Greenwood Lake. The fire, which has rapidly escalated due to drought conditions and is now one of several active wildfires in the region, has consumed approximately 2,000 acres along the New York/New Jersey border. Vasquez’s death underscores the serious dangers faced by fire personnel in this hazardous environment, with the incident sparking an outpouring of grief from both his family, the firefighting community and residents in the area – many who expressed their condolences to a relative of the young man via Facebook community groups.

Vasquez was reportedly working alongside state and local firefighters when a tree fell on him during the containment efforts. Despite immediate CPR administered by two New York State Forest Rangers, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to a nearby hospital. His relative, expressing the family’s grief on social media, described Vasquez as a “family HERO” and requested information from anyone who had been with Vasquez in those final moments, hoping to gain closure about his last hours.

The New York State Police are currently investigating the incident, with spokesperson Steven Nevel stating that details surrounding Vasquez’s death remain under review. Colonel Robert Cavanagh, Acting Director of the New York State DEC Division of Forest Protection, extended his condolences to Vasquez’s family and colleagues in an internal email, writing, “There are no words that can express our feelings of loss. We will do everything we can to assist this individual’s family.”

The Jennings Creek wildfire is part of a wave of fires sweeping through the New York and New Jersey region, where prolonged drought has created exceptionally dry conditions. These conditions prompted a “Red Flag” warning across several counties, indicating the likelihood of rapid fire spread due to high winds, low humidity, and abundant dry fuel sources.

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