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Flags across New York State are being lowered to half-staff today in honor of 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, a state parks employee who tragically lost his life while battling the Greenwood Lake fire on the New York-New Jersey border. The fire, which has triggered evacuations and extended a state of emergency in Orange County, is expected to take weeks to fully contain.
Vasquez, a Parks and Recreation aide, was fatally injured on Saturday, November 11, while supporting work to create a fire line at the Jennings Creek wildfire in Sterling Forest in Greenwood Lake. Governor Kathy Hochul announced that flags on state buildings would be flown at half-staff starting at sunrise on Monday, November 18, in honor of Vasquez.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Vasquez family as they mourn the sudden and tragic loss of Dariel,” Governor Hochul said. “Dariel was only 18 years old and had a truly bright future ahead of him that has now been unfairly taken away. I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers and his bravery on the front lines.”
Vasquez was an aide at the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department. He is survived by his mother Miosotis and his father Juan. His wake was held on Sunday, and the funeral is scheduled for Monday at St. Peter's Church in Haverstraw, according to ABC7NY.