NYC Wildfires: Park Worker Dies, Residents Warn of Air Pollution

Fire crews on both coasts of the United States are battling blazes. A park employee has died in blazes in New York and New Jersey. Another person has died in a fire in Southern California, reports AP.

Crews continued to battle a wildfire northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County. The fire started on November 6 and grew quickly due to dry, warm conditions and gusty Santa Ana winds.

A mountain fire has forced thousands of residents to flee their homes. Fire 26% contained as of November 10 (compared to 21% the day before). The fire still covers an area of ​​about 83 km². The reason is being investigated.

"The fire continues to spread and smolder across steep, rugged terrain. Threats remain to critical infrastructure, highways and communities," said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, better known as Cal Fire.

Victim of fire

Meanwhile, New York State Police are investigating the death of Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old state parks employee who died on the afternoon of November 9 when a tree fell on him while he was fighting a large forest fire. fire in Sterling Forest, located in Greenwood Lake, New York, near the New Jersey border.

"Rest in peace brother, your shift is over," the New York State Forest Service said in a statement.

On the subject: A Russian-speaking chef suffered serious burns during a fire in a restaurant: friends are raising money for treatment

Jeremy Oldroyd, a New York state forest ranger, said Vasquez died "while helping build a fire suppression line."

"Firefighting is a very dangerous profession. We try to take all the precautions that exist in such conditions. But sometimes accidents happen," he noted.

Real danger

The Jennings Creek Fire is threatening 25 structures, including two homes in New Jersey. It has grown to 12 km² and was localized by 10% as of the evening of November 10.

Health advisories were issued for parts of New York City, including New York City and northeastern New Jersey, due to poor air quality from wildfire smoke. People were urged to limit strenuous outdoor activity if possible. The very young and very old, as well as people with asthma and heart disease, are particularly sensitive to smoke.

Progress in extinguishing other fires

New Jersey officials said they were 75% contained on a 70-acre wildfire in Passaic County's Pompton Lakes area that was threatening 55 homes. Progress was being made on other fires in the state amid extreme drought.

In New Jersey, Ocean County prosecutors announced arson charges Nov. 9 for starting a 142-acre fire in Jackson that started Nov. 6.

They said the fire was caused by magnesium fragments from a shotgun shell on the receiver ledge. Firing such incendiary or tracer ammunition is illegal in the state. Most of the fire was contained.

In Massachusetts, one wildfire was fueled by strong winds and dry leaves. It burned huge areas of the Lynn Woods Preserve, a municipal park that stretches for about 8,8 miles.² 16 kilometers north of Boston.

Windy and dry weather has made it difficult for firefighters. Officials are asking people to stay away from the burned areas. There are too many damaged trees there.