Ranger dies in a wildfire in Orange County, as dangerous wildfires continue to wreak havoc across the tri-state region

On By Pranco

A forest ranger died Saturday night in a wildfire along the New York-New Jersey border, as dangerous wildfires continued to cause poor air quality in the tri-state region amid a historic drought.

Firefighters were responding to a 5,000-acre wildfire near the Greenwood Lake Turnpike along state lines in Orange County when a tree fell on the ranger, killing him, Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue wrote in a Facebook post.

“Orange County Emergency Services would like to extend our condolences as we mourn the passing of a dedicated service member we lost today in the Greenwood Lake wildfires,” the agency said on Facebook.

A massive wildfire broke out in Prompton Lakes, NJ on Friday, sending smoke billowing across North Jersey and New York. Christopher Sadowski

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of this brave individual.”

The identity of the ranger has not been released.

The ranger’s tragic death comes as firefighting efforts continue fight against serious forest fires through New Jersey and the Hudson Valley as the region’s bone-dry and gusty wind conditions create an extreme fire risk.

An air quality alert was issued for New York City and the Hudson Valley, along with northern New Jersey, until 12:15 a.m. Monday as smoke continues to consume the air.

According to the National Weather Service, red flag warnings remain in effect from the Garden State to the Big Apple and southern Connecticut until 6 p.m. Sunday.

A morning jogger gestures as he runs past a fire lit by members of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Firefighters in the three states responded to at least six wildfires on Saturday, NBC reportedwith at least four more breaking out Friday from the Pinelands in central and western parts of New Jersey to the city’s suburbs.

Mayor Eric Adams announced a ban on grilling in all city parks on Saturday a two-hectare fire that erupted Friday evening in a densely wooded area of ​​Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

Mayor Adams attended a press conference with officials on Friday regarding the Prospect Park wildfire. Wayne Carrington

“Effective immediately, we are banning grilling in our parks, and we need all New Yorkers to take common-sense steps to prevent wildfires,” Adams said in a news release.

New York City was also included drought watching last week, after the driest October on record, with less than an inch of rain in the Big Apple, compared to the historical average of about 4 inches.

Drought watches have been put in place in New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Christopher Sadowski

Drought watches have also been put in place for New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The smoke is expected to remain until significant rain falls, as parts of the Garden State have not had any measurable rain in more than 40 days, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The National Weather Service said up to a half inch of rain could fall in the region Sunday night — though that is unlikely to ease the fiery conditions.