Authorities are reporting the death of a New York parks employee 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. The Eastern Dutchess County Fire and Rescue said the employee died when a tree fell on him Saturday afternoon as he battled a major blaze along the New York-New Jersey border. New Jersey officials said the blaze had spread to more than 3 square miles near the border and was threatening 10 structures. Health advisories were issued for parts of New York and northeastern New Jersey due to the unhealthy air quality.
