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.
A GoFundMe in Dariel’s memory was set up by Anthony Vasquez. The link to that GoFundMe is here.
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.
As of Saturday evening, authorities reported that the Jennings Creek fire, reported at 0% containment, continued to threaten two residential homes and eight structures within the historic Long Pond Ironworks District. Smoke has been visible across a broad swath of the area, and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported that no structures had yet been damaged.
To aid in containment, East Shore Road remains closed from Awosting Road to Greenwood Lake Turnpike, along with Beech Road and all trails in Long Pond Ironworks State Park and Tranquility Ridge. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service and local fire departments have deployed engines and ground crews to the scene, with helicopters carrying up to 350 gallons of water each for aerial firefighting. The Town of Warwick Police Department, New York State Police, and New York State Forest Rangers have also been present to monitor the situation and ensure public safety.
On the New Jersey side, firefighters are also confronting another significant wildfire in Pompton Lakes, known as the “Cannonball Fire,” which is burning 162 acres and threatening 55 structures. The fire reached 50% containment on Saturday, but crews remained on high alert as conditions worsened. Additionally, the West Milford area has seen multiple smaller fires over recent days, with the West Milford Fire Department battling four wildfires on Friday night alone. In each case, firefighters and forest service personnel worked swiftly to control the spread, but the risk of rapid fire growth remains high given the ongoing drought.
The severity of the drought has been described as historic by local officials, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reporting that some areas are experiencing their driest conditions in over 120 years. The lack of significant rainfall since August has led to extensive fire restrictions, and authorities have enforced Stage 3 Fire Restrictions prohibiting any open flames outside of gas, propane, or electric grills. Violators may face fines of up to $1,200.
The regional firefighting response has been further complicated by smoke from the Greenwood Lake wildfire blanketing nearby communities, causing visibility and air quality concerns. The West Milford Office of Emergency Management and local officials have advised residents to avoid impacted areas, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service continuing to provide structure protection.
In the wake of Vasquez’s death, the firefighting community has extended its condolences, with the Plattekill Fire Department sharing a message of support on Facebook, stating, “Our heartfelt condolences to our comrade and his family.” Vasquez, who had plans to attend college in January, is remembered by his family as a young man devoted to helping others. His father’s public statement emphasized Vasquez’s commitment to his work, describing him as a compassionate individual who sought to make a positive impact on his community.
Authorities expect to continue their efforts to contain the Jennings Creek wildfire as weather conditions persist. The New York State Police are working alongside local fire departments and forestry services to manage both the fire and its impact on the surrounding region. Further updates on containment and safety protocols will be provided as they become available.