New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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 and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers.
Towns of Denning and Warwick, Orange and Ulster Counties
Wildland Fires: Recent rain and snow have reduced the wildfire risk caused by dry and windy conditions earlier this month. There are currently two active fires that have burned nearly 6,000 acres. On Nov. 18, Forest Rangers responded to a fire in the town of Denning caused by debris burning that grew to 645 acres. The fire remains in patrol status.
Rangers remain on the scene of a 5,304-acre fire in the town of Warwick. The Jennings Creek fire, which straddles the New York and New Jersey border, is now in patrol status.
Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County
Wilderness Search: On Nov. 21 at 10:35 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing hunter. The 79-year-old from Lake Placid lost his way on the trail. At 11:24 a.m., Rangers Corey and Curcio located the subject and helped him back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 12:56 p.m.
Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Nov. 23 at 6:38 p.m., while on patrol, Forest Ranger Foutch met a hiker who reported they had seen a hiker from Connecticut struggling to hike down Phelps Mountain in the Adirondack High Peaks due to a knee injury.
The injured hiker was being helped by his hiking party. Ranger Foutch responded with a UTV on the truck trail, reached the hiker, and gave him a ride to his vehicle. The subject declined further medical assistance. Resources were clear at 7:18 p.m.
Town of Keene, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Nov. 24 at 12 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call that two hikers were overdue on Big Slide Mountain. The caller, who was originally with the two overdue hikers but finished the hike before they did, went back out to find the 58- and 60-year-olds from New Jersey.
At 12:37 a.m., that hiker found the pair in good condition and hiked back down alone. At 2:31 a.m., the hikers still had not returned. Forest Rangers Foutch and Lewis hiked in to find the missing duo. Rangers found the two subjects, warmed them, and helped them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 4:47 a.m.
Read past Forest Ranger search and rescue reports here.
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