A Ramapo High School graduate who worked for the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department was killed Saturday while battling a fire in Sterling Forest in Orange County’s Greenwood Lake. New York State Police say 18 year-old Dariel Vasquez, a member of the Wildland Fire Crew, died when a tree fell. In a statement yesterday, governor Kathy Hochul commended Vasquez’s “dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines.” Rockland County Executive Ed Day called him “a true hero.” Kurt Mulligan is with the Stony Point Fire Department, and on Friday’s “Who Wants to be a Volunteer” program, said we continue to be at a high-elevated risk for more fires, and that could be taxing on the county’s volunteers…
60 wildfires have scorched more than 21-hundred acres in the state since October first, according to a state forest ranger. Several fires are burning in Orange County, where the County Executive has urged residents nearby to have evacuation plans, if necessary. A memorial service will reportedly be held at noon today for Vasquez on the Ramapo High School baseball field in Spring Valley. He was captain of, and played second base for, the varsity baseball team until his graduation last spring. New York State Police are investigating the incident that led to his death.