Recent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions

Town of Webb
Herkimer County
Wildland Rescue: On April 11 at 1:07 p.m., Raybrook Dispatch received a call from Herkimer County 911 advising that a hiker had sustained a head injury near the summit of Rondaxe Mountain. Forest Ranger Lt. Hoag and Rangers Evans, McCartney, Milano, Miller, Shea, and Thomes responded. EMTs from Old Forge Ambulance administered care to the 57-year-old hiker from Sherrill. Rangers conducted the technical rope work necessary to safely lower the subject down the mountain through four steep-angle locations to an ambulance. The hiker was transported to Old Forge Airport where Mercy Flight flew him to the hospital. Also assisting in the rescue were members of DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement, Old Forge Fire, Inlet Fire, Eagle Bay Fire, and Webb Police. Resources were clear by 4:30 p.m.

Town of Washington
Dutchess County
Wildland Fire: On April 14 at 2:55 p.m., Forest Ranger Sweeney responded to a fire on Valley Farm Road in the town of Washington. The illegal debris burning scorched 38 acres of private land. After making sure the fire was under control, Ranger Sweeney returned over the next two days to mop up hot spots. By April 16 at 12:43 p.m., the fire was declared out. The 82-year-old homeowner was issued tickets for violating the State’s burn ban.

New York’s annual statewide brush burning ban is in effect through May 14. Since 2009, DEC enforces the ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires each spring. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed. Small cooking fires are allowed, but only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these or any fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC’s FIREWISE New York website.

Towns of Warrensburg and Horicon
Warren County
Wildland Fire: On April 14 at 9:30 p.m., National Grid requested Forest Ranger assistance during a storm response to bring a power line across the Schroon River in the towns of Warrensburg and Horicon after the previous line was damaged. Using a line gun, Rangers used their expertise in swift water navigation techniques to safely establish a line and haul rope across the seasonally elevated river. This allowed the National Grid crews to pull new primary wires across and continue their work to restore power to the northern Bolton area.

Town of Corinth
Saratoga County
Wildland Fire: On April 15 at 2:25 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a wildland fire off of County Route 10 in the town of Corinth. Rangers Baker, Poulton, and St. Claire responded, in addition to the Corinth, Edinburg, and Greenwich fire departments. The fire started with an outdoor campfire for cooking and spread to 7.8 acres, destroying a cabin. At 9:12 p.m., the fire was put into patrol status and declared out on April 16.