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 Watson
Lewis County
Wilderness Search: On
Nov. 24 at 10:17 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Lewis
County requesting Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing
person from Lowville. The county indicated they found the subject's
vehicle at Francis Lake in the Independence River Wild Forest in the town
of Watson. Rangers Hanno and McCartney responded and found the missing
person at 12:29 a.m. Rangers determined the subject was likely suffering
from hypothermia, packaged her into a litter, and carried her out of the
woods to a Lewis County Search and Rescue ambulance by approximately 1
a.m.
Town
of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On
Nov. 25 at 3:10 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex
County about two hikers on the Soda Range Trail who had lost their way
and did not have headlamps or cold weather gear. The hikers were using a
trail app, which was draining their cell phone battery. At 4:27 p.m.,
Rangers Black and Evans found the hikers and helped them out to the
trailhead. Resources were clear at 4:45 p.m.
Town
of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On
Nov. 25 at 4:50 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex
County about three hikers on the summit of Mount Marcy requesting a ride
off the mountain. The hikers were wearing regular sneakers and
complaining of frozen feet with at least eight inches of snow near the
peak. Rangers Black and Evans responded. The hikers could not read a map
properly, making it more difficult for Rangers to pinpoint their
location. At 9:52 p.m., Rangers reached the hikers and helped them to
Marcy Dam and then to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 10:36 p.m.
City
of Kingston
Ulster County
Wilderness Search: On
Nov. 26 at 3:55 p.m., Ranger Franceschina
received a call from ECO Johnson about a 46-year-old hunter who was
disoriented and in need of assistance in Bluestone Wild Forest near
Jockey Hill Road. The hunter from Lake Katrine sent a location pin drop, but did not trust the app to guide him out of
the woods. Ranger Franceschina and ECO Johnson
responded to assist. At 4:15 p.m., Ranger Franceschina
spoke to the hunter, who provided his coordinates. Ranger Franceschina entered the woods from the north side of
Jockey Hill Road and ECO Johnson entered from the south side along Route
28. At 4:30 p.m., Ranger Franceschina located
the hunter in good health and led him out of the woods. Resources were
clear at 5 p.m.
Town
of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Search: On
Nov. 27 at 4:33 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Warren
County about two hikers from the Syracuse area who were lost between Cat
and Thomas mountains. Ranger Donegan responded to the location shared by
the hikers and found the two women on the summit of Thomas Mountain.
Ranger Donegan escorted the hikers back to the trailhead at 6:51 p.m.
Winter Safety
DEC encourages people heading
outdoors this time of year to be safe and prepared. Dress properly:
thermal undergarments that wick moisture; fleece or wool insulating
layers; waterproof or water-resistant outer layers; thick socks, a winter
hat, and gloves or mittens; and waterproof, insulated boots. Also carry
plenty of food and water to eat and drink, and
rest often. Being tired, hungry, or dehydrated makes people more
susceptible to hypothermia. For more
hiking safety information, visit DEC's website.
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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