Recent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Village of Tupper Lake
Franklin County
Flat Ice Rescue Training: On Feb. 18, Forest Rangers Adams and Milano led flat ice rescue training for the Long Lake Fire Department. Training first responders is a great way to ensure people who fall through the ice have the best chance of survival. Rangers provided instruction in techniques for self-rescue, reach, and throw and go.

Town of Elizabethtown
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 22 at 4:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a disoriented hiker in the vicinity of Bald Peak in the Giant Mountain Wilderness Area. The pair of hikers in their 20s from Rochester and Scottsville were concerned they would not make it out of the woods before dark and reported suffering from cramping and panic attacks. At 9:10 p.m., Rangers reached the subjects, warmed them, and started assisting the pair back to the trailhead. Rangers and the hikers reached the Bald Peak trailhead at 2:44 a.m.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 25 at 5:03 p.m., Forest Ranger Mecus responded to a call for a hiker with an unstable lower leg injury on Wright Peak. At 7:53 p.m., Ranger Mecus reached the 60-year-old from Canada, stabilized her leg, and began packaging her in a toboggan. Five additional Rangers assisted with the carry out. Using the toboggan and a rope system, Rangers brought the subject to the Adirondak Loj by 10:25 p.m. The hiking party transported her for further medical attention. A short video clip of the Wright Peak rescue is available for download at DEC’s website.

Wright Peak rescue. NYS DEC photo.

Town of Wilton
Saratoga County
Search and Rescue Training: From Feb. 23-25, Forest Rangers Carabetta, Greagan, Hess, and Nahor conducted a search and rescue course at the Gansevort Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters, community residents, and Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue participated in the three-day training. Rangers often work with outside and volunteer rescue crews in the wilderness, and training together is invaluable.

Search and rescue training in Wilton. NYS DEC photo.

Town of Franklin
Franklin County
Snowmobile Accident Training: On Feb. 25, Forest Ranger Lieutenant LaPierre and Rangers DiCintio, Ordway, and Rooney conducted training at Buck Pond Campground. The training involved a mock snowmobile accident. Rangers instructed members of the Bloomingdale, Bombay, Duane, and Paul Smiths Gabriels fire departments, as well as Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake Rescue.

Snowmobile accident training. NYS DEC photo.

Snowmobile accident training. NYS DEC photo.

Snowmobile accident training. NYS DEC photo.

Town of Webb
Herkimer County
Snowmobiler Rescued: On Feb. 26 at 1:40 p.m., Forest Rangers Bills, Lee, McCartney, and Waligory responded to a snowmobile accident on Stillwater Reservoir. A 70-year old from New Jersey had hit an uneven patch of ice or a stump and was ejected from their snowmobile. The subject suffered facial abrasions, neck and back pain, and couldn’t feel his legs. Rangers assisted Big Moose and Old Forge fire departments with packaging the subject into a toboggan and stabilizing his head until they reached the boat launch. Old Forge EMS transported the subject to the hospital at 4 p.m.

Rangers rescue snowmobiler in Stillwater. NYS DEC photo.

Rangers rescue snowmobiler in Stillwater. NYS DEC photo.

Rangers rescue snowmobiler in Stillwater. NYS DEC photo.

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.