New York State Forest Rangers have seen a dramatic increase in missions with the advent of the summer hiking season. They recently responded to more than a half-dozen distressed recreationists in the Adirondacks, several of whom were poorly prepared, along with others in scattered other parts of the state. They also fought two wild land fires, one at a logging header.
Pine Plains, Dutchess County
Wildland Fire: On June 5 at 1:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Grillo and Pries responded to a 911 radio call about a brush fire on Shultz Hill Road. When Rangers arrived, they observed the fire spreading in a field of grasses and scrubs. Rangers worked with Amenia, Milan, Millerton, and Pine Plains Fire Departments on the suppression efforts. By 3:45 p.m., firefighters contained the 0.5-acre fire.
Dix Mountain Wilderness, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On June 8 at 9:46 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County about a 911 text for an ill hiker on the Lillian Brook trail in the Dix Mountain Wilderness. At approximately 1:30 a.m., Rangers and a Paramedic from Schroon Lake EMS reached the 52-year-old from Potsdam.
Rangers determined the hiker could not continue on their own. The Paramedic provided IV fluids and then Rangers carried the subject to the Elk Lake trailhead where they were met by a Schroon Lake Ambulance. Resources were clear at 5:40 a.m.
Avalanche Pass, Adirondack High Peaks
Wilderness Rescue: On June 9 at 4:04 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a member of the Student Conservation Association about one of their members having a seizure while doing trail work in Avalanche Pass.
Forest Ranger Odell spoke to the trail crew’s supervisor who said the 23-year-old from Pennsylvania had epilepsy that could be affected by exertion in the hot weather. New York State Police Pilot Sergeant Beck flew Rangers Bowler and Martin to the subject.
They loaded the subject into the helicopter, and Sergeant Beck flew them to Adirondack Medical Center. Resources were clear at 6:11 p.m.
Wolf Jaw Lean-To, Adirondack High Peaks
Wilderness Rescue: On June 10 at 10 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a notification from Garmin of an SOS activation for a medical emergency at the Wolf Jaw lean to. At 11:45 p.m., Rangers reached the 21-year-old hiker who was dehydrated. Rangers provided food and hydration which improved their condition. Rangers assisted the subject out of the woods. Resources were clear at 2:50 a.m.
Wilderness Search: On June 11 at 5:17 p.m., a guest at Journey’s Edge Lodge was reported one hour overdue from kayaking. Forest Ranger Nahor searched the south end of the lake and at 5:40 p.m., located the 32-year-old from New York City in good condition. The kayaker got lost earlier in the day and didn’t know which direction they were traveling. Ranger Nahor assisted them back to the lodge.
High Tor WMA, Italy, Yates County
Wilderness Rescue: On June 13 at 11:45 a.m. Forest Ranger Dormer responded to a call for a hiker with an injured shoulder in Conklin Gully on High Tor Wildlife Management Area. Ranger Dormer joined members of the Ontario and Yates County Rope Rescue Teams and the Naples Fire Department.
Rescuers determined the 26-year-old from Rochester had a dislocated right shoulder and assisted them on the half-mile walkout. A Naples Ambulance met them roadside and transported the patient to Thompson Hospital.
Fire: On June 13 at 4:25 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office requested Forest Ranger assistance with a fire of heavy logging slash on private land. Rangers joined Dresden, Huletts Landing, and Putnam Fire Departments to get the 100-foot-by-100-foot fire under control. The following afternoon, Rangers declared the fire out.
Basin Mountain, Adirondack High Peaks
Wilderness Rescue: On June 13 at 4:04 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for a hiker having difficulty breathing on Basin Mountain. Forest Ranger Ezumah spoke to the reporting party and learned the patient has a history of cardiac events and currently had an irregular pulse. New York State Police Pilot Engel flew Rangers Ezumah and Shea to the subject’s coordinates.
Ranger Ezumah was inserted to the location, but the subject was no longer there. The 45-year-old’s hiking partner said they were moving towards Johns Brook Outpost. At the same time, Ranger Odell was hiking into Johns Brook and at 6:23 p.m., located the subject. Ranger Odell assisted the hiker to the Garden Parking lot where they were met by a family member. Resources were clear at 7:01 p.m.
Slide Mountain Wilderness, Catskills
Wilderness Search: On June 13 at 5:12 p.m., Ulster County requested Forest Ranger assistance with a lost hiker on Lone Mountain. The 46-year-old from Monroe was hiking four trailless peaks in the Slide Mountain Wilderness Area when they got lost.
With minimal battery power, the hiker used a cell phone to call 911. Rangers Horn and Martin conducted linear searches of high probability areas. At 7 p.m., Rangers located the subject along the east branch of the Neversink River. Rangers escorted the subject back to their vehicle.
Gray Peak, Adirondack High Peaks
Wilderness Rescue: On June 13 at 5:23 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for a dehydrated hiker along the Feldspar Brook trail on Gray Peak. Forest Ranger Odell spoke to the reporting party who indicated the 32-year-old from Connecticut was vomiting any time they tried to move.
New York State Police Pilot Engel picked up Rangers Nahor and Quinn at the Lake Colden Outpost and dropped them off at Lake Tear of the Clouds. Rangers located the subject and assisted them into the helicopter. Pilot Engel flew the subject to Marcy Field where they were met by Keene EMS. Resources were clear at 6:47 p.m.
Putnam Brook, Keene, Essex County
Wilderness Search: On June 13 at 5:49 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a pair of hikers lost near Putnam Brook. Forest Rangers Brand and Russell located the two hikers and escorted them out of the woods. One of the hikers complained of back pain but did not require medical attention. Resources were clear at 8:22 p.m.
Read more recent Search and Rescue Missions.
Photo of Pine Plains fire provided by DEC.
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