New York State Forest Rangers had a busy week responding to a variety of backcountry emergencies, including two gliders that crashed in Saratoga County, a wildfire at Henderson Lake in the Adirondacks, a surveyor with an injured leg in the Catskills, and more.
Wildland Fire: On September 15 at 5:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of a ground fire on the shoreline of Henderson Lake in Essex County. Forest Rangers Brand, Quinn, Rooney, and Sabo responded with Newcomb Fire Department.
At 8:25 p.m., firefighters determined the fire was 75 feet by 75 feet in leaves and roots with a lot of logging debris. Overnight, fire crews contained the fire. The following day, firefighters put out any hot spots.
Town of Westport, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On September 16 at 5:04 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Ranger Odell about a lost hiker in Split Rock Wild Forest. The subject hiked a path posted online as a proposed trail, not knowing it hasn’t been cleared or marked yet.
Rangers Odell and Quinn located the 28-year-old from Rush. The hiker had dislocated a finger while using a trekking pole and slipping but pulled their finger back into place. Rangers taped the hiker’s fingers, administered pain medication, and provided a courtesy ride to the trailhead. The incident was clear at 8 p.m.
Town of Inlet, Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On September 18 at 3:10 p.m., Hamilton County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker who suffered a leg injury on Black Bear Mountain. Eagle Bay and Inlet Fire Departments located the 67-year-old from Ohio and packaged the hiker into a litter.
Rangers Cleinman, McCartney, Miller, and Scott assisted with the carry out to the road where they were met by Inlet EMS. The incident was clear at 5:41 p.m.
Town of Edinburg, Saratoga County
Plane Crash: On September 18 at 2:54 p.m., Saratoga County Dispatch received a call about a collision between two gliders. The pilot of one of the gliders landed safely at Edinburg Airport.
Forest Rangers Carabetta, Evans, Hamm, Nally, and Quinones joined Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputies, New York State Police, and the Broadalbin, Corinth, Edinburg, Middle Grove, and Northville Fire Departments in the search for the second plane.
At 5:31 p.m., Rangers and Law Enforcement members reached the crash site and confirmed one deceased subject, an 80-year-old from Saratoga Springs. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating
Town of Fallsburg, Sullivan County
Wilderness Rescue: On September 18 at 3:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Kocher and Schweider responded to a report of an injured surveyor in the woods in Sullivan County. Ranger Schweider found the 65-year-old from Pearl River and splinted their injured leg.
Rangers assisted Sullivan County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Fallsburg, Rock Hill, and Woodridge Fire Departments wheeling the patient out on a litter. They transported the subject to Empress EMS, who transported them to the hospital. The incident was clear at 4:55 p.m.
Wilderness Rescue: On September 19 at 7:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with a knee injury on Giant Mountain in the Adirondack High Peaks. Forest Rangers Curcio and Foutch located the 49-year-old and assisted them back to the trailhead. The hiker refused further medical attention. The incident was clear at 9:05 p.m.
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry, and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.
Each Friday morning New York Almanack‘s John Warren reports outdoor recreation conditions for the Adirondacks at North Country Public Radio (NCPR).
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, 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.
Read Last Week’s Forest Ranger Report
Photo of Henderson Lake wildfire provided by DEC.
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