New York State Forest Rangers and local emergency crews responded to ten incidents involving a wildland fire and backcountry wilderness rescues over the past week. The wildfire occurred in the Town of Webb, where crews used an inflatable boat to transport supplies and extinguish an unattended campfire that spread to 100 square feet.
They also rescued stranded, injured, or lost individuals in challenging wilderness terrain. Injuries and medical emergencies made up the majority of the rescue calls including a technical rope rescue which pulled a young adult 100 feet out of a steep ravine in Middlefield, and a helicopter hoist rescue on Mount Marcy for a hiker with a broken ankle.
Other medical interventions involved treating a head injury in the Catskills, using a wheeled litter for a fractured ankle on Kane Mountain, evacuating a mountain biker with a severe leg gash via ATV in the Adirondack High Peaks, and carrying an injured 11-year-old child down a trail.
Navigation mistakes and dehydration resulted in multiple responses. Rangers successfully located and aided a dehydrated hiker on Algonquin Peak and another suffering from severe cramps on Tabletop Mountain, providing both with food, water, and trail escorts back to their campsites.
One lost hiker was stranded without a light source on Windham High Peak.
Wildland Fire: On August 9 at 1:55 p.m., two Forest Rangers and the Webb Fire Department responded to a fire near the Woodhull Lake lean-to in Herkimer County. They used an inflatable boat to bring in supplies to help extinguish the unattended campfire. By 8:33 p.m., fire crews had the 100-square-foot fire under control.
Town of Middlefield, Otsego County
Rescue: On August 10 at 12:05 p.m., Otsego County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance for a report of a subject who fell into a steep ravine on private property.
Ranger Lieutenant Breigle, Rangers Black, France, and Laymon joined Cooperstown Police, Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputies, and New York State Police to set up a technical rope system.
They pulled the 20-year-old up 100 feet from the ravine. Rescuers carried the patient another 300 feet to a fire department UTV that transported the subject to an Otsego County Ambulance. The incident was clear at 5:50 p.m.
Mount Marcy, Adirondack High Peaks
Wilderness Rescue: On August 10 at 2:30 p.m., the Marcy Summit Steward called Ray Brook Dispatch about a hiker with a lower leg injury near the summit of Mount Marcy.
The 50-year-old from Rochester slipped on a wet rock and heard a crack in their ankle. A passing hiker, who is a podiatrist, splinted the ankle. New York State Police Pilot Engel flew to the scene.
Forest Ranger Ezumah harnessed the subject and Ranger Martin hoisted the hiker into the helicopter. Pilot Engel flew to the hospital. Ranger Ezumah hiked out with the other member of the hiking party. The incident was clear at 4:11 p.m.
Windham High Peak, Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On August 11 at 8 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for a lost hiker, off trail, on Windham High Peak. Forest Rangers Commerford and Dawson hiked in from opposite sides of the mountain. They arrived at the Elm Ridge lean-to 10 minutes apart, shortly before 9 p.m.
Ranger Commerford made voice contact with the 32-year-old from New Jersey. At 9:20 p.m., Ranger Commerford reached the subject in good health, but without a light source. Ranger Commerford provided a headlamp and hiked the subject out of the woods. At 9:40 p.m., they reached the Peck Road trailhead.
Rangers suggest bringing a headlamp or flashlight, and extra batteries, even if you’re not planning to hike into the night. Light is one of the Ten Hiking Essentials.
Indian Head Wilderness, Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On August 12 at 3:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Commerford responded to a call for a hiker who hit their head near the Devil’s Kitchen lean-to in the Indian Head Wilderness. At 4:20 p.m. Ranger Commerford, a Greene County Paramedic, and Hunter EMS reached the 70-year-old from New Jersey.
The Paramedic conducted a patient assessment and, along with Ranger Commerford, assisted the hiker back to the trailhead. Rescuers cleaned the subject’s wounds, and the patient refused further medical attention. The incident was clear at 5:30 p.m.
Algonquin Peak, Adirondack High Peaks
Wilderness Rescue: On August 14 at 4:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker who came across another hiker calling for help on the summit of Algonquin Peak. Forest Rangers Foutch and Morehouse responded from Marcy Dam. At 7:10 p.m., Rangers located the subject and provided food and water.
The hiker became separated from their group and was getting dehydrated. Rangers assisted the hiker to Lake Colden to meet up with their camping group.
Wilderness Rescue: On August 15 at 12:11 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Ranger Caswell about a hiker with a broken ankle on Kane Mountain. At 1 p.m., Ranger Caswell reached the 42-year-old from Liverpool.
Caroga Fire Department and St. Johnsville EMS already had the patient packaged in a wheeled litter. Ranger Casweell assisted bringing the patient down the mountain. St. Johnsville EMS transported the subject to the hospital. The incident was clear at 1:45 p.m.
Wilderness Rescue: On August 15 at 1:45 p.m., Essex County requested Forest Ranger assistance for a mountain biker with a large gash on their leg on the East Branch Community Trails.
Ranger DuChene reached the 21-year-old from Ithaca and provided an ATV ride to the road. The mountain biker said they would seek further medical attention on their own. The incident was clear at 2:40 p.m.
Tabletop Mountain, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On August 15 at 5:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker experiencing cramps on Tabletop Mountain. Forest Rangers Foutch and Morehouse responded from Marcy Dam. At 7:25 p.m., Rangers reached the hiker and provided food and water.
After getting nourishment, the hiker was better able to walk. Rangers assisted the hiker back to their campsite near Phelps Junction to meet up with the rest of their party.
Kaaterskill Falls Trail, Catskills
Wilderness Rescue: On August 16 at 5:30 p.m., while on patrol, Forest Ranger Commerford was alerted to an 11-year-old hiker with an ankle injury on the Lower Falls trail, which leads to the lower base of Kaaterskill Falls in the Kaaterskill Wild Forest.
Ranger Commerford and Assistant Forest Ranger Dewitt carried the subject back to the Laurel House trailhead. The child’s family transported them to the hospital. The incident was clear at 6:14 p.m.
Read more recent Forest Ranger Rescues.
Photo of Mount Marcy rescue by Gabriel Bailie Hatch, provided by DEC.
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