Recent Forest Ranger Actions
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 2020, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 492 search and rescue missions,
extinguished 192 wildfires that burned a total of more than 1,122 acres,
participated in eight prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more
than 203 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in 3,131 tickets or
arrests.
"During New York's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people
are enjoying the outdoors than ever before and our Forest Rangers are on
the front lines to help people get outside responsibly and get home
safely," said
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Rangers'
knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques
are critical to the success of their missions, which for more than a
century have taken them from remote wilderness areas with rugged mountain
peaks, to white water rivers, and throughout our vast forests
statewide."
Town of Greece
Monroe County
Public Outreach
Event: On Oct. 18, Forest Ranger Lt. Wickens took part in a collaborative event where DEC
teamed up with Rochester Accessible Adventures and Braddock Bay Raptor
Research. Held at the town of Greece's Braddock Bay Park, the event
introduced people of all ages and abilities to adaptive and inclusive
tools that make birding available to everyone. Experts demonstrated how
to use spotting scopes, binoculars, monoculars,
harnesses, and tripods. The workshop showcased DEC and partner-led efforts
to provide recreational opportunities through the Americans with
Disabilities Act so more people can enjoy DEC's outdoor programs and
activities. More pictures available on DEC's Facebook.
Lt. Wickens at birding workshop at
Braddock Bay Park
Birding workshop at Braddock Bay Park
Birding workshop at Braddock Bay Park
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On
Oct. 18 at 7:25 p.m., DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch received radio contact
from retired Forest Ranger Dell Jeffrey about a lost hunter in the
Goodnow Flow. Forest Ranger Sabo responded to that location and located
the 62-year-old hunter from Connecticut at 8:45 p.m. Ranger Sabo escorted
the subject back out to the road by 9:30 p.m.
Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On
Oct. 19 at 11:55 a.m., while hiking with a group of 12 to Huckleberry
Point, a 64-year-old from Woodside fell on a steep section of trail,
injuring their lower left leg. Using hiking poles, the hiker tried to
walk out on her own, but was unable to make it. The hiker's companions
then called 911. Forest Ranger Dawson responded to the location and
requested three additional Rangers to assist with a possible carry-out.
Ranger Dawson drove about a mile in and hiked another mile to the injured
hiker's location. After Ranger Dawson splinted her leg, the hiker tried
to use crutches, but was unsuccessful, so an improvised carry was used to
help her up the steep section of trail. Rangers Gullen,
Petit, and Mitchell then brought in a wheeled litter and the hiker was
packaged for carry-out. The Rangers brought the hiker to the Huckleberry
Trail and Long Path juncture, where she was transferred out of the litter
to a Ranger truck. From there, the hiker was driven out to the trailhead.
She declined further medical care and resources were clear at 5 p.m.
Rangers Gullen, Dawson, and Petit
transporting injured hiker out
of the woods with a wheeled litter
Town of Greig
Lewis County
Wilderness Rescue: On
Oct. 22 at 7:03 p.m., Lewis County 911 contacted DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch
requesting assistance locating an overdue hunter in the Independence
River Wild Forest. Forest Rangers Lee and Hanno responded to Partridgeville Road where they met up with two Lewis
County Sheriff's Deputies at the scene. After interviewing members of the
hunting party, the Rangers determined the 58-year-old hunter from LaFargeville was likely in a half-mile section of
woods near the camp. To assist the hiker, one deputy operated a siren
from a fixed location while the second deputy drove along a nearby
section of highway with emergency lights activated. After approximately
30 minutes, the hunter walked out to the road and where they were met by
responders. The subject explained he had hunted this area for nearly 15 years, but became disoriented after dark and didn't
have a map, compass, or source of light. Resources were clear at 8:14
p.m.
Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On
Oct. 23 at 1:50 p.m., DEC's Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for
Forest Ranger assistance with an 80-year-old man from Albany who became
ill while hiking in the Tirrell Pond area. A group of Boy Scouts assisted
the hiker to a lean-to. Three Forest Rangers responded with an ATV to
assist. Once the Rangers were close enough to the hiker's location, they
helped him to the ATV and drove him out of the woods. At 5:10 p.m., the
hiker refused further medical assistance.
Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On
Oct. 23, a Scout group from Nesconset went for a hike to North Point. At
approximately 4 p.m., one of the Scout leaders fell on a rocky section of
the Mary's Glen trail, causing a leg injury. The group called Central
Dispatch requesting Forest Ranger assistance. Forest Rangers Dawson and
Slade responded with Assistant Forest Ranger France. Ranger Dawson hiked
in with one of the Scouts and located the 51-year-old hiker approximately
0.8 miles from the trailhead. After splinting the injured leg and
treating other minor injuries, Ranger Dawson provided crutches and helped
the hiker out of the woods at 7:45 p.m. The subject declined further
medical care.
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.
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