18-year-old crew member killed as firefighters battle dangerous wildfires burning on both coasts

By Hanna Park, Paradise Afshar, Andy Rose and Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN
5 minute read • Updated 3:51 AM EST, Tue November 12, 2024


Firefighters respond to a wildfire in Southern California. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

(CNN) — Dangerous wildfires were burning Monday on the East and West coasts, with firefighters in New York and New Jersey working to contain a deadly blaze spurred by an ongoing, historic drought – while strong winds in Southern California could fan a destructive fire in Ventura County. ... The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings on Tuesday for southeastern New York, areas along the New Jersey/New York border where the Jennings Creek Fire is burning, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The warnings indicate an increased risk of wildfires due to strong winds and dry air, prompting caution among residents.

The Jennings Creek Fire has scorched approximately 3,500 acres across parts of New York and New Jersey and is 20% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said on X Monday evening. While rain on Sunday helped slow the fire’s progress, dry conditions and high winds are expected to continue throughout the week, Assistant Division Firewarden Christopher Franek with the service said during a news conference Monday.

While no civilian injuries have been reported, an 18-year-old Wildland Fire Crew member was killed while responding to the blaze over the weekend, officials said Sunday. Dariel Vasquez died Saturday afternoon when a tree fell over in the fire area.


Dariel Vasquez was killed while responding to the Jennings Creek Fire. Rockland County Government

Vasquez recently graduated from Ramapo High School, where he was a member of the school’s varsity baseball team, the East Ramapo Titans. ... Anthony Vasquez, 50, described his late second cousin as “a stellar young man” and “a family person.” And his death has “nearly taken us apart,” Vasquez said. ... “We’re very close, our family. He grew into a family of community service where we’re about helping each other, helping the community,” Vasquez told CNN. ... Dariel Vasquez was a leader among his peers, a teen who loved to play baseball and “worked hard at his craft,” he said. The 18-year-old wanted to be an electrician, according to his cousin, and had plans to study electrical work in college this coming January.

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