Dariel Vasquez Obituary, Death: NY parks worker dies battling fires; air quality warnings issued in NY and NJ.
Dariel Vasquez Obituary, Death – An 18-year-old New York parks employee, Dariel Vasquez, tragically died while fighting a wildfire on the New York-New Jersey border after being struck by a falling tree, according to officials. This incident happened Saturday in Sterling Forest, Greenwood Lake. The wildfires raging in both New York and New Jersey amid unusually dry conditions have triggered health advisories, urging those sensitive to poor air quality to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
The Jennings Creek wildfire, one of the largest blazes, covers nearly 4 square miles near Passaic County’s West Milford and New York’s Orange County, endangering structures in the Greenwood Lake area. Firefighters have also been tackling several other fires across New Jersey, including a 175-acre fire near Pompton Lakes in Passaic County, which has threatened 55 homes but was 75% contained by Sunday. Fires were also reported in Burlington, Camden, Bergen, and Gloucester counties, with a notable blaze near the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Bergen County. In one incident in Jackson Township, authorities have charged an individual with arson and firearms offenses after magnesium fragments from shotgun rounds allegedly ignited a 350-acre fire.
Dry and windy conditions have worsened the fire risk across the region. In Massachusetts, wildfires spread through the Lynn Woods Reservation, fueled by dry foliage and high winds. The area experienced strong gusts exceeding 40 mph, with more moderate winds persisting. The National Weather Service warns that the dry spell is expected to last, with only light rain forecasted for New England.
California firefighters have also been dealing with fires, including the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, which has burned over 100 structures and spread across 32 square miles, with containment only reaching 26%. Evacuations in Ventura have been downgraded to warnings, but firefighters remain vigilant due to challenging conditions across the state.
