Police Investigating Death of State Parks Employee who was battling forest fire in Greenwood Lake

On November 9, 2024, at approximately 3:44 p.m., a tragic incident occurred in Sterling Forest, Greenwood Lake, NY, when Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old Parks and Recreation Aide employed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, lost his life while actively battling a forest fire.

Vasquez had been part of the firefighting team responding to the blaze when, during the course of his efforts, he was struck by a falling tree. Despite immediate assistance and emergency response efforts at the scene, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The New York State Police and relevant officials are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this devastating event. They aim to gather more details about the fire and the safety protocols in place at the time of the accident. This incident highlights the inherent risks faced by individuals working to protect public land and the environment.

Sources: https://troopers.ny.gov/news/update-state-police-investigating-death-state-parks-employee-who-was-battling-forest-fire