New York State Forest Rangers were busy fighting wildfires in seven counties from October 29th to November 1st, in addition to responding to a stroke victim and conducting a search for a missing 90-year-old hunter, both in Fulton County .
Wilderness Rescue
On October 30 at 1 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for Forest Ranger assistance with an individual having a stroke on the Willie Wildlife Marsh Trail in Peck Hill State Forest in Fulton County.
Caroga Lake and Meco Fire Departments were already on scene performing CPR. Ranger O’Connell and firefighters carried the subject to an awaiting ambulance. A LifeFlight helicopter flew the 72-year-old from Alabama to the hospital.
Wilderness Search
On October 31 at 8:55 p.m., Fulton County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing hunter. The 90-year-old’s ATV was located within Shaker Mountain Wild Forest in the Town of Bleecker.
Rangers joined New York State Police and Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputies searching overnight with rangers deploying a heat-sensing drone with negative results. At 10:15 a.m., the hunter walked out to a private residence in good health and declined medical attention.
Wildfires
From October 29 to November 1, Forest Rangers responded to seven wildland fires totaling 11.5 acres in the Towns of Belfast, Deer Park, Mamakating, McDonough, Nelson, North Collins, and Russia in Allegany, Chenango, Erie, Herkimer, Madison, Orange, and Sullivan Counties.
Three of the fires were caused by debris burning. It has been an especially dry week to two weeks. Use extreme care with open fires.
Read About More Recent Forest Ranger Missions
Photo of Mamakating fire provided by DEC.
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