DEC Contact: Jomo Miller (518) 402-8000 July 07, 2021
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DEC STATEWIDE FOREST RANGER HIGHLIGHTSRecent Forest Ranger Actions |
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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.” Ulster County Wilderness Rescue: On June 29 at 1 p.m., Forest Ranger Slade overheard a 911 call regarding a missing 70-year-old man at VernooyKill Falls. Ranger Slade responded to the location along with Forest Rangers Stratton, Franceschina, Lieutenant Morse, Ulster County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Accord Fire Department, and the Kerhonkson/Accord First Aid Squad. The hiker had been dropped off at the Upper Cherrytown Road lot by his wife at approximately 9 a.m. When the subject had not returned by 1 p.m., the caller became concerned and flagged down a passing motorist to call 911. Once on scene, Ranger Slade set up a command post at the trailhead on Upper Cherrytown Road, while Rangers Stratton and Franceschina searched the area. At 2:40 p.m., Rangers located the missing man from Harpursville and transported him back to the trailhead by ATV where EMS evaluated and released him. The hiker became disoriented when he attempted to return from the falls and ended up 2.5 miles from the falls when search crews reached him. All units were clear of the scene at 3:30 p.m. Town of Benson Town of Watson Town of Schroon Wildland Fire: On July 3 at 3:50 p.m., Assistant Forest Ranger Cleinman advised DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch that he located a fire while on routine patrol near a lean-to at Pharaoh Lake in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area. The Assistant Forest Ranger reported that the fire, later determined to have been started by a campfire, was approximately 100 ft. by 100 ft. in size and smoldering with no active flames. Forest Rangers Arnold and Kabrehl responded by ATV with a pump and hoses. The half-acre fire was safely contained due to rain. The next day, two Rangers and an Assistant Forest Ranger returned to patrol the grounds. On July 5, at 4:11 p.m., Ranger Kabrehl declared the fire was out. Town of Harrietstown Town of Keene Helicopter arrives to assist in Essex County hiker rescue (photo attached)
Rescue crews package up woman injured while hiking (photo attached)
Rope rescue of injured hiker in Trap Dike, Essex County (photo attached)
NOTE: Essex County rescue photos provided by Assistant Forest Ranger Jonathan Leff and Assistant Forest Ranger Brendan Jackson (photo attached)
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. |
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