ORANGE COUNTY, NY — More has been learned about the 18-year-old New York State Parks Department employee who was killed while battling a wildfire in Passaic County, New Jersey, near the New York border, on Saturday.
According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the Jennings Creek Fire is burning in the area of Greenwood Lake Turnpike and East Shore Road in West Milford, as well as in Orange County, New York.
Fire officials say Dariel Vasquez, a Parks and Recreation employee, was fighting the fire at the state line when he was killed by a falling tree.
Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement on Vasquez’s death, writing in part: “My prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his courage on the front lines.”
Dariel Vasquez is praised by local residents for his bravery
On a Go Fund Me page, family members said: “Dariel was a young man full of promise, hope and dedication.” They said he was a senior at Ramapo High School and captain of the baseball team, adding that he had big dreams and planned to attend college in January.
“He’s brave, that’s for sure. I won’t deny that. Here’s a young man who’s doing a lot of hard work. So I would definitely say that New Jersey sends its condolences to his family,” the New Jersey chief said Forest Fire Service. said Bill Donnelly.
“I just can’t believe that an 18-year-old child would risk his life for our homes and for everyone here, so honestly it was devastating to hear,” said Rebecca Dykstra, a resident of Greenwood Lake, New York.
CBS News New York
Dykstra lives just a few miles from where the fire is burning. Her wife, a firefighter with the Greenwood Lake Fire Department, was on duty near Vasquez when he was killed.
“Her team was the one that liked to go on site. She’s pretty scarred by it,” Dykstra said.
Dykstra said she is now deciding whether or not to evacuate.
“The police knocked on our door maybe an hour or two ago and said if you guys want to get a bag ready and maybe if you need to go somewhere, maybe you guys should go,” Dykstra said.
The Jennings Creek wildfire is not yet under control
CBS News New York’s Natalie Duddridge caught up with other residents, like a woman named Cheryl, who decided it was time to go.
“Everyone here at the lake should really leave now while it’s still safe to do so. You can always replace property, but lives are a completely different matter,” Cheryl said.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the Jennings Creek fire had spread to 2,500 acres and was 0% contained as of Sunday afternoon.
“Probably the biggest I’ve ever seen,” said Newton Fire Chief Jason Miller.
Firefighters are using a coordinated approach, including air crews who can drop water and locate hotspots, and ground crews to protect homes and stop the spread.
CBS News New York went to what’s called a draft site, where firefighters were pulling water from the lake to fill both fire trucks and huge tankers holding up to 3,000 gallons each.
“Brush Fire has a few helicopters that they use. They have drop baskets. Sometimes it’s between 300 and 500 gallons. On the brush fire trucks they have tanks that are about 300 gallons,” Miller said.
According to the fire brigade, it could take days before the fire is under control. They are still investigating what the cause is.
Natalie Duddridge
