RAY BROOK — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide.
Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, forest rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people from across New York State.
Forest Rangers responded to several calls last week.
Town of Keene Wilderness Rescue
Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from an off-trail hiker near the summit of Mount Marcy Friday, Sept 24, at 10:50 p.m.
Forest Rangers Adams, Corey and Foutch reached the 65-year-old from Brooklyn at 2:40 a.m., provided food and water and assistance back to Marcy Dam.
They reached the Marcy Dam Outpost and rewarmed the subject at 9:45 a.m. and Rangers completed escorting the subject to the trailhead by 11:30 a.m.
Town of North Elba Wilderness Search
New York State Police requested Forest Ranger assistance Sunday, Sept. 26, at 4 p.m. with a search for two juveniles who ran off into the woods off of River Road
Rangers Martin and Quinn conducted a linear search following the subjects’ tracks then found the 12- and 15-year-olds unharmed at 6:06 p.m.
Town of North Hudson Wilderness Search
Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers lost off trail near the summit of Hough Mountain Monday, Sept. 27, at 12 a.m.
Forest Rangers Donegan and Nahor reached the 20- and 21-year-olds at 6:30 a.m. and assisted them back to the trailhead, returning at 9:10 a.m.
Town or North Hudson Wilderness Rescue
Forest Rangers Lewis and Martin responded to a call for an 18-year-old hiker vomiting at the summit of Beck-Horn Mountain Monday, Sept. 27, at 8 p.m.
The hiker was with another 18-year-old with no reported injury or illness; Ranger Martin contacted the hikers and advised them to slowly hike down to stay warm.
Rangers reached the hikers at 12:25 a.m., provided electrolytes and food, and escorted them to the trailhead.
Resources were clear at 1:52 a.m.
Town of Santa Clara Wildland Fire
Ray Brook dispatch received a call from a community member about a campfire that turned into a ground fire along the shoreline of Follensby Clear Pond Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 1:20 p.m..
Forest Ranger R. Praczkajlo located the fire and determined it was five feet by five feet, and burning three feet deep into the ground.
Praczkajlo suppressed the fire, and the following day, it was declared out.
With the current warm and dry conditions, the DEC urges all New Yorkers to exercise extra caution before any outdoor burning
For more information visit dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2025/9/dec-reminds-new-yorkers-to-use-caution-when-outdoor-burning
Town of Harrietstown Wilderness Rescue
Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for a hiker suffering from shortness of breath on Ampersand Mountain trail Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 4:54 p.m.
Forest Rangers and paramedics reached the subject and provided water and electrolytes at 6 p.m.
They reached the trailhead at 6:54 p.m. and transferred care to EMS.
Town of Keene Wilderness Rescue
Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County 911 reporting a hiker near the summit of Upper Wolfjaw Mountain having a hard time navigating their way out Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 9:50 p.m.
Forest Rangers Lewis and Martin reached the subject at the summit at 2:05 a.m.
They escorted the subject back to the Garden trailhead and back to their vehicle, resources were clear at 5 a.m.