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    • Dariel Vasquez parking attendant from Rockland, NYS, killed in wildfire
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    Dariel Vasquez parking attendant from Rockland, NYS, killed in wildfire

    Vaseline Posted on

    Dariel Vasquez, a Rockland County resident and Ramapo High School graduate, was killed Nov. 9 during a wildfire in Sterling Forest, located in Greenwood Lake in Orange County.

    Vasquez, 18, was a Parks and Recreation Aide employed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department. He had been working to fight one of several fires that hit the region this fall amid warm, drought-like conditions.

    The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said in a statement Sunday that Vasquez, a member of the Wildland Fire Crew, was fatally injured when a tree fell. Life-saving measures were taken at the scene, but were unsuccessful.

    Dariel Vasquez called “a leader among his peers.”

    Vasquez was a 2024 graduate of Ramapo High School in the East Ramapo School District. He was captain of the 2024 varsity baseball team and was a member of the varsity team for four years.

    “The East Ramapo Central School District mourns the death of 2024 graduate Dariel Vasquez,” East Ramapo Central School District Superintendent of Schools Anthony DiCarlo said in a statement. “At Ramapo High School, Dariel was a dedicated student and gifted athlete – a leader among his classmates and teammates. We send our thoughts and condolences to Dariel’s family during this difficult time.”

    East Ramapo Board of Education member Sabrina Charles-Pierre honored Vasquez’s memory in a Facebook post.

    “Dariel’s spirit, determination and dedication will never be forgotten. Please keep his family, friends and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” she wrote.

    Vasquez was named the Spring 2024 Rockland County Senior Male Athlete.

    “He was a leader among his peers and inspired others with his compassion, perseverance and respect for all,” the family wrote on GoFundMe.

    “He had big dreams for the future, with plans to start university next January, a journey he embarked on with the same dedication he brought to every role in his life.”

    A Ramapo High baseball account on Instagram said: “Our community mourns the loss of such a remarkable young man, and words can barely express the sadness we feel. Dariel was more than just a player on our team; He was a beloved member of our family.”

    Gov. Kathy Hochul honored Vasquez and his service in a statement Sunday.

    “I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his courage on the front lines,” Hochul said.

    Rockland County Executive Ed Day called the death a tragedy and Vasquez a local hero. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, fellow rangers and first responders during this devastating time.”

    Risks when fighting forest fires

    The governor also reflected on the dangers inherent in firefighting. “Our state employees are working around the clock to protect our communities and we are keeping them close in our thoughts as they risk their lives to stop the spread of these wildfires.”

    The fire Vasquez was fighting had started in West Milford, New Jersey and Orange County, New York. As of Saturday evening, it had burned 2,000 hectares, was 0% contained and was threatening homes.

    Even with rain forecast for Sunday night and Monday, the fire risk remains high and an air quality alert has been issued for the region.

    “We remind residents that a burn ban is still in effect and that in the current dry conditions, bushfires can quickly escalate into something deadly,” Day said.

    Team plans commemoration on school field

    East Ramapo Titans baseball players will host a memorial ceremony for Dariel Vasquez on Monday, November 11 at noon at the Ramapo High School baseball field.

    People are invited to bring candles and balloons.

    NorthJersey.com and USA Today Network reporter Amanda Wallace contributed to this report.

    Vaseline
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