Town of Forestport
Oneida County
Brush Fire: On May 1 at 5:45 p.m., Forest Ranger Lieutenant Hoag and Ranger McCartney responded to a brush fire near Round Lake Road in the town of Forestport. The fire burned an estimated nine acres of private land. By 8:20 p.m., the fire was put into patrol status and declared out on May 4.

New York’s annual statewide brush burning ban is in effect through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced 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 webpage.

Brush fire in Forestport. DEC photo.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Technical Rescue Training: On May 5, 15 Rangers participated in their annual Technical Rescue Operations Level Certification Training, which helps ensure Rangers are prepared to manage and conduct rescue and recovery missions in steep and vertical environments. Using these simulated scenarios, Rangers adhere to the motto, “practice like it’s real, so when it’s real, it’s like practice.”

Technical rescue training in Keene. DEC photo.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 8 at 7:45 p.m., Ray Brook dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker on the Van Hoevenberg trail with a knee injury. Ranger Praczkajlo met the 42-year-old from Monroe and her hiking partner at Marcy Dam and helped the pair back to their vehicle at the Adirondak Loj. The subject declined medical attention and resources were clear at 9:15 p.m.

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.

If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.