A New York parks employee died battling one of a number of wildfires in New Jersey and New York amid dry conditions that have prompted air quality warnings in both states, authorities said Sunday.

The worker died when a tree fell on him Saturday afternoon as he battled a major brush fire along the New York-New Jersey border, according to reports from the Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue and the New York state forestry services.

“Rip brother your shift is over job well done,” the New York State forestry services post said.

New York State Police said they were investigating the death amid the fire in Sterling Forest located in Greenwood Lake and identified the victim as Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old state Parks and Recreation aide employed by the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department.

“Wildland firefighting is a very dangerous profession, and we try to take as many precautions as we can mitigate some of the hazards that are out there in the wildland fire environment. But occasionally accidents do happen,” said Jeremy Oldroyd, forest ranger, New York State Department of Environmental Protection, adding that Vasquez died “assisting with fire line construction.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke of Vasquez's dedication in a statement on Sunday. 

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of one of our New York State Parks employees while responding to a wildfire in Orange County yesterday," she said. "I commend his dedication to serving and protecting his fellow New Yorkers, and his bravery on the front lines."

Additional state resources have been deployed to help fight wildfires across Ulster, Sullivan and Orange counties. According to officials, there are at least five different fires burning. 

The fires in New York and New Jersey come as firefighters are also battling a wildfire in California.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Forest Fire Service reported the sprawling blaze had spread to 3.9 square miles near the border in Passaic County’s West Milford and Orange County, New York. Officials said Sunday the blaze, dubbed the Jennings Creek wildfire, was now threatening 14 Greenwood Lake structures as well as two New Jersey homes and eight buildings in that state's Long Pond Ironworks Historic District.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, there is a high risk of wildfire in the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions, as well as New York City and Long Island. The risk is moderate for the Adirondacks, upper Hudson Valley and Southern Tier. 

Health advisories were issued for parts of New York, including New York City, and northeastern New Jersey due to unhealthy air quality due to smoke from the fires. People were urged to limit strenuous outdoor physical activity if possible; those especially sensitive included the very young and very old and people with ailments such as asthma and heart disease.

Hochul said firefighters are battling multiple wildfires caused by dry conditions. 

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus says he is working closely with Town of Warwick Supervisor Jesse Dwyer, Greenwood Lake Mayor Tom Howley, and other emergency services command team members on a response to the fires. Crews continue to fight two other brush fires in Orange County, including in Monroe and Tuxedo. Neuhaus says there is currently no immediate threat to homes or people, but is asking that those near the fires have an evacuation plan in place should that change. 

A temporary shelter has been set up at the Greenwood Lake Community Center at 35 Waterstone Road.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said that the town of Denning is also dealing with fires. No mandatory evacuation is currently in place. Metzger says the fire is approximately 422 acres, based on flyover estimates from Saturday evening.

While Sullivan County fire officials have not reported a fire, they are reminding residents that the county remains under a drought watch. They say outdoor burning right now is very dangerous because of the lack of rain.

No mandatory water restrictions are in place under a drought watch, but residents are strongly encouraged to voluntarily conserve water. 

Law enforcement in the Capital Region are advising people they are aware of the smoky conditions from these fires and are asking residents to not call 911 for concerns over smoke, and to only call if you see a fire or other unsafe conditions.

In Saratoga County, officials are reporting smoke and a smell in the air. They are asking residents to follow local town ordinances on open burning, only call 911 in an emergency and follow the National Weather Service for updates on brush fires and weather conditions. They are recommending residents keep windows and doors closed and ask those with respiratory issues to stay indoors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.