New York State Forest Rangers recently fought three wildfires started by illegal debris and garbage burning, and one unattended fire, on April 28th and April 29th, which burned about 4 acres.
They also recovered the body of a man from a creek in Tioga County, and responded to a hiker having an allergic reaction in the Catskills.
The annual New York State statewide burn ban prohibiting residential brush burning is in effect through May 14, 2026. Open burning of brush, leaves, and debris is banned, with violators facing minimum fines of $500.
Town of Shandaken, Ulster County
Wilderness Response: On April 27 at 3 p.m., a member of Pine Hill Fire Department alerted Forest Ranger Martin about a hiker having an allergic reaction on Wittenberg Mountain. Rangers Franceschina and Martin responded with a Shandaken Emergency Medical Technician.
The hiker is allergic to tree nuts and didn’t realize there were tree nuts in their trail mix. The hiker broke out in hives and had swollen lips.
At 5:15 p.m., Rangers met the hiker on the trail. The hiker’s symptoms had subsided. Rangers escorted the subject to the trailhead where Shandaken Emergency Medical Services evaluated them. The hiker refused further medical treatment. Resources were clear at 6:16 p.m.
Town of Queensbury, Warren County
Wildland Fire: On April 28 at 3:45 p.m., two Forest Rangers responded to a brush fire that damaged multiple structures including a child’s playhouse.
Firefighters from Bay Ridge, Queensbury Central, South Glens Falls, South Queensbury, and West Glens Falls Fire Departments contained the fire to 0.5 acres. Rangers issued a ticket for leaving a fire unattended.
Town of Barton, Tioga County
Wilderness Recovery: On April 28 at 5:30 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a 46-year-old who had not been seen for two days. Rangers conducted linear searches while NYSP used K9 and drone units.
On April 29, 11 Rangers, two Environmental Conservation Police Officers, and 33 members of NYSP searched 945 acres with negative results.
On April 30 at 12:22 p.m., a NYSP Underwater Recovery Team located the subject deceased in a nearby creek. Rangers assisted with the recovery.
Town of Cambridge, Washington County
Wildland Fire: On April 29 at 10:30 a.m., two Forest Rangers responded to a brush fire at the intersection of Content Farm Road and Little Colfax Road.
By 12 p.m., Rangers and firefighters from Arlington, Buskirk, Cambridge, Cossayuna, Easton, Greenwich, Hoosick Falls, North Hoosick Falls, Salem, Schuylerville, Shushan, and White Creek Fire Departments contained the fire to 0.8 acre.
One shed and four scrap vehicles were damaged in the fire. DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement handled the charges for illegal debris burning.
Town of Elizabethtown, Essex County
Wildland Fire: On April 29 at 5:16 p.m., six Forest Rangers responded to a brush fire on Lincoln Pond Road. A bus on the property was damaged by the fire.
By 8:55 p.m., Rangers and firefighters from Crown Point, Elizabethtown, Essex, Keene, Keene Valley, Lewis, Mineville/Witherbee. Moriah, Westport, and Whallonsburg Fire Departments controlled the 2.4-acre fire.
DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement was called in to address the illegal burning of garbage.
Read more about recent NYS Forest Ranger missions in New York State.
Photo of Elizabethtown fire provided by DEC.
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