Ranger perishes in brush fire as dangerous wildfires cause bad air quality in the tri-state region

A forest ranger died battling a brush fire along the New York-New Jersey border Saturday night – as dangerous wildfires continued to cause bad air quality across the tri-state region amid a historic drought. 

Firefighters responded to a 2,000-acre forest fire 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 wishes to extend our condolences as we mourn the passing of a dedicated service member we lost today during the Greenwood Lake brush fire response,” the agency said on Facebook. 

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

The identity of the ranger wasn’t revealed. 

The ranger’s tragic death come as firefighters continue to battle severe brush fires across New Jersey and the Hudson Valley as the region’s bone-dry and gusty wind conditions cause an extreme fire risk.

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

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

Firefighters across the tri-state responded to at least six wildfires Saturday, NBC reported, with at least four more breaking out Friday from the Pinelands in the central and western parts of New Jersey to the City’s suburbs. 

Mayor Eric Adams announced Saturday a ban on grilling in all city parks following a two-acre inferno that broke out Friday night in a densely wooded area of Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. 

“Effective immediately, we are prohibiting grilling in our parks, and we need all New Yorkers to take commonsense steps to prevent brush fires,” Adams said in a news release.

New York City was also placed under drought watch last week, after the driest October in recorded history, with less than an inch of rain in the Big Apple, compared to the historical average of about 4 inches. 

Drought watches are also in place for New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

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

The National Weather Service said the region could see up to a quarter inch of rainfall Sunday night – though it is unlikely to ease the fiery conditions.