Funeral planned for teen firefighter killed in Jennings Creek fire

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Loved ones will memorialize an 18-year-old killed fighting the Jennings Creek fire , which has raged on in New York and New Jersey for a week.

On Sunday, a funeral mass started at 10 a.m. for Dariel Vasquez , a senior at Ramopo High School who died on Nov. 9 while putting out the massive wildfire in Sterling Forest State Park. Services were expected to continue through 7 p.m. at a funeral home in Garnerville.

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Mayelin Vasquez, the teenager's aunt, said he worked as a New York State forest ranger and at a local grocery store. He was the captain of his high school baseball team.

"A young kid. Funny, with a lot of excitement – a lot of life to live," Mayelin Vasquez said. "An amazing person, an amazing kid. He just saw it, it was an opportunity to make a difference. There's a fire – they need us."

Others described Vasquez as a "dedicated student," a "gifted athlete," and a community staple.

"He was just the hardest worker. On the field, off the field," said his baseball coach Chris Landry. "He was someone who was always in touch with me. It's just very tough."

The Jennings Creek fire is still burning but was around 80% contained Sunday.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here .