New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
09/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/24/2024 12:48
Forest Rangers - Week in Review
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate, and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.
In 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.
"Whether they are leading complex search and rescue incidents, suppressing wildfires, enforcing laws on State lands and easements, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, or encouraging responsible recreation, Forest Rangers stand ready to help when called," DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Maharsaid. "Forest Rangers' wide-ranging expertise and collaboration with local, State, and federal partners are instrumental in protecting New York's public lands and the many visitors who use them."
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Public Outreach: On Sept. 14, Forest Ranger DuChene and Smokey Bear attended the Northville-Placid Trail 100 Year Celebration at the North Elba Historical Society. Ranger DuChene and Smokey displayed wildland firefighting equipment and provided fire safety education for event attendees.
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 16 at 3:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Martin and Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Jackson responded to a call for a hiker with a deep hand laceration on Mount Marshall. No exact location was provided, but Ranger Martin found the hiker, provided first aid, and stopped the bleeding. Ranger Martin and AFR Jackson helped the 25-year-old from Rochester back to the trailhead where she decided to seek further medical attention on her own. Resources were clear at 9:13 p.m.
Town of Windham
Greene County
Wilderness Recue: On Sept. 17 at 12:15 p.m., Greene County 911 received a call from an injured mountain biker in Elm Ridge Wild Forest. Forest Rangers and Greene County EMS responded. Ranger Fox provided first aid and controlled the bleeding to a significant arm laceration. Rangers helped the 68-year-old from Monroe walk out approximately one-half mile to a waiting ambulance. Resources were clear at 2:30 p.m.
Town of Pinckney
Lewis County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 17 at 1:15 p.m., Forest Ranger Captain Nowalk and four Rangers responded to the Inman Gulf in the Tug Hill State Forest to assist a hiker who had fallen 200 feet. Rangers and Lewis County Search and Rescue hiked 2.5 miles to the subject. They determined the hiker had dislocated their shoulder and chose a rope system to rescue the 46-year-old from Adams Center. Martinsburg, New Bremen, and Rodman Fire Departments helped set up a rope system. Rescuers, including the Lewis County Search and Rescue team, New York State Police, and the Lewis County Sheriff's Department, raised the subject 200 feet and transported him to EMTs and eventual hospital transport. Resources were clear at 5:50 p.m.
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 17 at 10:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County 911 about a climber suffering an allergic reaction and having difficulty breathing. The 20-year-old from Canada, who is allergic to tree nuts and peanuts, experienced an anaphylactic reaction while camping at the Wall Face lean-to. The hiker started hiking out to get help but started having breathing problems. The subject then self-administered an EpiPen and texted 911 for help. At 12:10 a.m., Forest Rangers Milano, Quinn, and Snye and Newcomb EMS reached the subject. They gave him diphenhydramine and transported him out via ATV to a waiting ambulance.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 19 at 7:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiking party reporting a member of the group had suffered an ankle injury on Lower Wolfjaw Mountain, approximately three miles from the trailhead. The caller, an EMT, splinted his friend's ankle. Forest Rangers Odell and Quinn met the hiking party as they walked slowly down the mountain and helped the group to their vehicle. The 36-year-old from Columbia decided to seek further medical attention on his own. Resources were clear at 9:30 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 20 at 6:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a subject suffering severe leg cramping. The rest of the subject's hiking party continued on the Northville-Placid Trail to the Moose Pond lean-to. At 9:47 p.m., Forest Rangers Corey and Rooney reached the 36-year-old from Massachusetts, provided electrolytes, and helped him hike back out to the trailhead. At 12:05 a.m., they were met by a Lake Placid Ambulance for transport to the hospital.
It's important to prepare for hiking in the backcountry. Visit Hike Smart NY - NYSDEC to learn what to bring to hike safe and smart.
Town of Nassau
Rensselaer County
Training: On Sept. 21, Forest Ranger Jackson led wildland fire suppression training for multiple fire departments from Albany, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties. Ranger Jackson led firefighters in a live fire exercise illustrating how to size up and attack a small brush fire. Ranger Jackson also showed the groups how to dig a line around a fire and how to use various tools during a wildland fire.
Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 21 at 6:05 p.m., Forest Rangers Gullen and Peterson responded to a call for a hiker with a knee injury near the lower portion of Kaaterskill Falls. Rangers reached the 47-year-old from Schenectady, wrapped her knee, and assisted the hiker to a waiting Hunter Ambulance at the trailhead. Resources were clear at 8:20 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 22 at 11:26 a.m., Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Patnode responded to a call for a hiker with an ankle injury on Mount Jo. AFR Patnode splinted the ankle and helped the 40-year-old from Cazenovia to the trailhead. Forest Ranger Curcio helped the subject back to her vehicle where she advised she would seek further medical attention on her own. Resources were clear at 12:27 p.m.
Village of Schuylerville
Saratoga County
Fire and Law Enforcement: On Sept. 22 at 4:25 p.m., Forest Ranger Carabetta responded to a private residence to help local fire departments suppress a quarter-acre brush fire caused by burning prohibited materials. Firefighters quickly got the fire under control. Ranger Carabetta issued one ticket to the responsible party for leaving a fire unattended.
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC's Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information, and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.
If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it's for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.