New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC:
Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 22 at 8:17 p.m., the Marcy Dam Caretaker called Ray Brook Dispatch about a hiker with a knee injury approximately a tenth of a mile from the outpost. At 9:47 p.m., Forest Ranger H. Praczkajlo reached the 71-year-old from Alplaus, provided first aid, and helped them back to Adirondak Loj.
Town of Newcomb, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 22 at 8:37 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received an SOS call from Garmin for a hiker with intermittent fainting spells on the Calamity Brook trail in the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness. Two hikers with the 76-year-old also called for help and said they had been hiking since 6:30 a.m., and the hiker was suffering from dehydration and low blood sugar.
At 11:50 p.m., four Forest Rangers and an Essex County Paramedic reached the subject and provided medical care and rehydration. The rescuers stayed with the subject overnight at the Herbert Brook lean-to. At 8:30 a.m., New York State Police Pilot Engel flew the patient to the hospital.
You can view video of the helicopter rescue here.
Town of Keene, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 23 at 12:34 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with an unstable ankle injury on Mount Haystack. New York State Policed (NYSP) Aviation was approved. Forest Ranger Curcio lowered Ranger Ordway to tend to the patient. At 2:25 p.m., Ranger Ordway harnessed the 25-year-old from New Jersey and Ranger Curcio hoisted the pair into the helicopter. NYSP Pilot Engel flew the patient to the hospital.
You can view video of the hoist rescue here.
Town of Warwarsing, Ulster County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 25 at 4:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Rusher responded to a call for a lost and injured hiker in the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest. The 44-year-old from New Paltz had started at the Cox Road trailhead at 1:45 p.m. and planned to hike the long path on the ridge and loop back. The hiker was barefoot and did not bring any food or water despite temperatures reaching 85 degrees.
After falling a couple of times and getting lost, the subject called for help. Ranger Rusher reached the hiker by cell phone and obtained a location before their battery died.
Ranger Rusher and the Cragsmoor Fire Department provided nourishment and assisted the hiker back to the trailhead. Ellenville EMS determined the hiker was dehydrated and had elevated blood pressure, but the patient declined further medical care. Resources were clear at 5:30 p.m.
Town of AuSable, Clinton County
Wildland Fire: On July 24 at 5:33 p.m., five Forest Rangers and the Keeseville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire caused by a downed power line. The fire spread to 5.5 acres, but no structures were at risk.
Read past Forest Ranger search and rescue reports here.
Photo of Forest Rangers fighting AuSable wildfire provided by DEC.
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