NYS Parks employee killed as wildfires burn in New Jersey, Tri-State
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- A New York State Parks employee was killed while working with firefighters battling a wildfire in Passaic County, where one of more than 40 brush fires burned in New Jersey alone on Saturday.
The Passaic fire, now called the Jennings Creek Wildfire, started burning on Saturday afternoon near West Milford. The fire later spread into New York to Greenwood Lake, a village in Orange County.
The fire has been threatening homes, but so far firefighters have kept them all safe. Many residents were not home on Sunday night.
"We had about 40 homes and residents that moved out voluntarily, we really didn't have to encourage them too much because they saw out their window a major firestorm coming their way," said Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus.
The same firestorm is blamed on the death of firefighter Dariel Vasquez, 18, who was hit by a tree while battling the fire on a mountain.
New York State Police identified the victim as Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old Parks and Recreation Aid employed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department.
The East Ramapo Central School District told Eyewitness News that Vasquez was a graduate of the Class of 2024. In a statement, Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo said in part, "At Ramapo High School, Dariel 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."
"We had grief counselors on station here last night. It was a very difficult night last night and then waking up to the fire making advances didn't make anything better," added Neuhaus.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued the following statement regarding the wildfire an Vasquez's 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. 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. New York is battling multiple wildfires due to the dry conditions we are currently facing. Our State employees are working around the clock to protect our communities and we are keeping them close in our thoughts as they put their lives on the line to stop the spread of these wildfires."
The Jennings Creek Wildfire is also impacting Passaic County, New Jersey. Officials there say it is about ten percent contained. In Orange County, Newhaus said they will reassess on Monday morning.
"We shut down operations at night because it's hard to fight up on that mountain. We don't have enough state rangers. The state is now coming in with major resources," Neuhaus added.
The local firefighting effort to protect the houses continues all night - and if anyone needs a place to go, the Village Hall is open as a Red Cross shelter.
"Where they can stay they can eat, they can charge their phones," said Greenwood Lake Mayor Thomas Howley.
Local businesses on Sunday night were quiet.
"I've never seen nothing like this," said Patricia Sampayo, who works in Greenwood Lake.
Sunday night's light rain was welcome, but not enough to offset the drought conditions or soak the ground. The fire has gotten into the roots of the trees, and can spread underground.
"It's like putting a Band-Aid on something. Any kind of wet will help, but the forecast does not look great for the next couple of days," Howley adds.
Since October 1, Donnelly says the NJ Forest Fire Service has responded to 537 wildfires that have burned 4,500 acres in total across the state. In the same time frame, there have been 60 wildfires in New York that have collectively burned more than 2,100 acres, according to Oldroyd.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY WILDFIRES
Weather conditions on Friday and Saturday were prime for these types of fires to occur. It's extremely dry, windy, and there's low humidity. The Red Flag Warnings have expired as some rain is expected on Sunday.
Stage 3 fire restrictions are in effect statewide, which prohibits all fires unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, gas or electricity.
"We ask that the public please use common sense. We ask that they certainly don't discard any cigarette butts, any other smoking or burning material," said Shawn Judy, the assistant forest fire warden for the NJ Forest Fire Service.
New Jersey has not received measurable precipitation in over a month, the weather service said, setting a new record.
Smoke from the wildfires also impacted air quality in New York City, which was dealing with its own brush fires.
Air Quality Alerts remain in effect through Sunday.
OTHER WILDFIRES
Pompton Lakes Wildfire
The fire in Pompton Lakes is 100 percent contained as of 6:30 p.m,. Sunday, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
The 181-acre wildfire was burning in the area of Cannonball Road.
Early on in the fire fight there were 55 structures threatened, but no structures were evacuated.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Palisades Interstate Parkway Wildfire
By 4 p.m. on Saturday, the NJ Forest Fire Service says it has contained 75% of the 39-acre wildfire burning near the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County.
There are currently no structures threatened and no evacuation orders.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Jackson Township Wildfire
By 6:30 p.m. on Friday, the Shotgun Wildfire has burned 350 acres and is now 90% contained in Jackson Township, Ocean County,
A man from Brick Township, New Jersey was charged with arson in connection to the Jackson Township wildfire.
Police say Richard Shashaty, 37, started the fire on Wednesday when he shot a gun, igniting the flames with the ammo. He will also face weapons charges in addition to the arson charge.
Shashaty surrendered himself to police on Saturday, and is currently in jail awaiting a hearing.
Joann Bertone lives near the Jackson fire, and described animal and horse owners scrambling to arrange trailers to carry them to safety.
"It was extremely scary," she said. "I was up all night. It was nerve-wracking."
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