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

Dangerous wildfires are 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.

Dangerous wildfires are 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 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. “That’s just at the limit of when our helicopters can fly,” said New York State Forest Rangers spokesperson Bryan Gallagher. “Our hope is that it doesn’t get any worse than that, so could still use our air assets tomorrow.” 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. 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.