Rangers extinguished wildland fires throughout New York | News, sports, work

Last week, forest rangers with the state Department of Environmental Protection responded to various calls throughout the Adirondacks. Dry, warm and at times windy conditions combined with an abundance of ground fuel from recently fallen leaves and brush led to numerous wildland fires across the state, which were successfully contained and suppressed.

Rangers also engaged in several wilderness rescues for lost or injured hikers. One of them ended with a helicopter evacuation from Mount Marcy.

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Fires

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On Wednesday, October 23, Forest Rangers suppressed eight fires in seven counties, including one that burned 20 acres in the town of Lawrence in St. County. Lawrence. Guards and firefighters extinguished a fire in Potsdam, St. Lawrence on 12 acres. No further information on reaction to fire was provided.

The remaining fires were less than 1.5 acres in size. One occurred in the Essex town of Moriah, although no further information was released about this fire.

The causes of these fires include unattended campfires and burning debris. Multiple tickets were issued for leaving a fire unattended and failing to clear three feet around the fire.

Conditions continue to result in a “Tall” fire danger in some areas of the state. High fire hazard means that all fine, dead fuels ignite easily, and fires break out easily from most causes, including unattended brush and fires.

Fires can become severe and difficult to control unless they are attacked successfully while they are still small. The updated fire danger map, which DEC updates daily based on the latest conditions, is available at tinyurl.com/5xwtjr7p.

Although the statewide burning ban is no longer in effect, brush burning should only be done when absolutely necessary. In New York State, burning trash and leaves is prohibited year-round.

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Mount Marcy

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KEENE – Ray Brook Dispatch received a call regarding a hiker with a lower leg injury on Mount Marcy on Saturday, October 26 at 1:45 p.m. State Police Pilot Paul Engel brought Forest Rangers Andrew Lewis and Hannah O’Connor to the scene.

Lewis dropped O’Connor to the 45-year-old from Lockport. O’Connor stabilized the hiker’s broken leg, and Lewis got the patient into the helicopter so he could fly to the hospital. O’Connor escorted the subject’s husband to the Adirondak Loj. The stock was clear at 7 p.m

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Buck Mountain

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FORT ANN – Forest Rangers Kaitlyn Clute and Joseph Hess responded to a call of a hiker with an ankle injury on Buck Mountain at 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 23.

At 5 p.m., Rangers contacted a 35-year-old man from South Carolina and requested paramedic assistance to stabilize the patient’s ankle. The hiker fell and injured her ankle, and then her 85-kilogram dog also fell on her ankle.

Hess helped North Queensbury Emergency Medical Services arrive on scene. They stabilized the patient’s ankle, gave her pain medication and helped her walk 2.5 miles back to the trailhead, where an ambulance took her to the hospital. By 6:10 p.m., the resources were ready. No further information was available on the condition of the hiker or the dog.

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Viewpoint on the pavement

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WILMINGTON – Essex County 911 contacted Ray Brook Dispatch to request forest ranger assistance regarding two hikers lost on the Cobble Lookout trail in the Wilmington Wild Forest at 3 p.m., Tuesday, October 22. At 5:14 p.m., Forest Ranger Nicole DuChene located a 20-year-old man from France and a 21-year-old man from Canada and helped the pair return to the trailhead.