The Rockland County community is mourning Dariel Vasquez, a teenager who died in a wildfire

Rockland County mourns teen killed in wildfires

The Rockland County community gathered Monday to honor the life of 18-year-old Dariel Vasquez, a dedicated New York State Parks employee and recent graduate of Ramapo High School, who tragically lost his life while fighting a forest fire in Sterling Forest.

NEW YORK – Friends and family of Dariel Vasquez and members of the Ramapo community gathered Monday at the East Ramapo baseball field to mourn the 18-year-old’s death this weekend while fighting a wildfire near Greenwood Lake.

Vasquez, a recent graduate of Ramapo High School, was working with a wildfire crew in Sterling Forest when a tree tragically fell on him.

“Young kid, funny, with a lot of life left to live,” said his cousin, Mayelin Vasquez.

Vasquez was a three-year starter at second base and former captain of the school’s baseball team.

“I know he did the right thing and was the ultimate team player,” said Chris Landry, Vasquez’s baseball coach.

In addition to his contributions on the field, Vasquez was named Rockland County’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year last spring, a testament to his dedication both to the sport and to his community.