NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A New York State forest ranger died on Saturday while helping fight one of the many brush fires raging across New York and New Jersey as the area reels from the blazes fed by drought conditions.
A forest ranger firefighter with the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department died while battling a forest fire in Greenwood Lake, Orange County, according to the Plattekill Fire Department .
The parks worker, identified by New York State Police as 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, was working the fire response in Sterling Forest when he died. Police are investigating his death.
“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 on Sunday. “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.”