A New York State Parks volunteer died while fighting a forest fire near the New York-New Jersey border.
Dariel Vasquez, 18, died Saturday after responding to the wildfire near Greenwood Lake, according to New York State Police (NYSP).
“The New York State Police are currently investigating the incident,” police said. (RELATED: Fires Erupt Throughout US, Bringing Widespread Threats To Life, Property And Infrastructure)
Vasquez recently graduated from Ramapo High School and was a member of the school’s varsity baseball team, the East Ramapo Titans, CNN reported. The fallen volunteer was recognized as Rockland County’s Athlete of the Season in the spring of 2024, according to District Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo.
“[Vasquez] was a dedicated student and a gifted athlete — a leader among his classmates and teammates. We send our thoughts and condolences to Dariel’s family during this difficult time,” DiCarlo said, according to the outlet.
The East Ramapo Titans baseball team will host a memorial for their former teammate Tuesday, Sabrina Charles-Pierre, a spokeswoman for the East Ramapo Central School Board of Education, wrote in a statement to Facebook.
“Please bring candles and balloons as we honor his memory. We hope to see you all there,” the statement reads.
“Dariel was a hero, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him,” Charles-Pierre wrote in a separate post. “As a school board member who cares deeply and has worked hard to build meaningful relationships with our students, the hardest part is watching them grow, only to have to say goodbye far too soon. Dariel was taken from us before he had the chance to fully experience life, and that’s a pain we all feel deeply.”
“Sadly, we have received news of the line-of-duty death of a NYS Forest Ranger Volunteer. Our deepest condolences go out to their family and fellow rangers,” Greenwood Lake Mayor Tom Howley wrote in a statement to Facebook.
“Let’s continue to support each other and pray for the safety of our community and first responders,” he added.
Authorities did not order evacuations from Greenwood Lake, saying they felt they were “in a good position” and were monitoring the wildfire, the post reads.
“I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines,” Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “New York is battling multiple wildfires due to the dry conditions we are currently facing.”
