DEC Forest Rangers Discuss Wildfires After Returning Home From Canada

What: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers who spent two weeks battling wildfires in Canada recently returned home (see https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-welcomes-dec-forest-ranger-crew-returning-fighting-wildfires-canada). The first Forest Ranger returned last week after 14 days in Nova Scotia where he served as Crew Boss to a wildland firefighting team assigned to the Barrington Fire Complex, which burned approximately 58,100 acres. Seven Forest Rangers returned on Sunday, June 25, after spending 14 days in Quebec working on multiple fires.

Who: Basil Seggos – DEC Commissioner
Anastasia Allwine – Greene County
Chester Lunt – Cayuga, Cortland, and Onondaga Counties
Robert Praczkajlo – Essex and Franklin Counties
William Roberts – Chemung, Schuyler, and Seneca Counties

Links to Interviews, Video, and Pictures:
Interview:
https://we.tl/t-67E9v8k94z

Pictures from Nova Scotia
https://we.tl/t-CrWPvA3C6C
In case you’re wondering, the snake is called a smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis.) I’m guessing when everything is green, it camouflages really well, but when everything is burnt, it really “stands” out.

Pictures and video from Quebec
https://we.tl/t-D3c5o5PwMQ