Forest rangers respond to flooding in Hope

Warren County
Town of Johnsburg
State Land Use Enforcement: After months of investigation, Forest Ranger Perryman issued tickets to a Saratoga County man on charges of damaging trees on State land, storing personal property on State land, and erecting a structure on State land. Ranger Perryman began the investigation in November 2021, after noticing a group in Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area packing out heavy packs and rifles. The following weekend, the Ranger continued investigating and discovered an illegal structure with equipment hidden and buried around a camp. In early February 2022, Ranger Perryman interviewed multiple subjects and issued several tickets.

Hamilton County

Town of Hope

Flood Response: On Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m., Hamilton County requested Forest Ranger assistance with welfare checks after severe flooding in the town of Hope. Ranger Lt. Kerr and Rangers Scott, Perryman, and Nally responded with swiftwater gear. An ice jam blocking the Sacandaga River had broken, causing an increase in water downstream, flooding multiple homes. Rangers also responded to an incident involving a passenger vehicle in the river. A town employee had already helped remove the driver. At 6:11 p.m., Rangers assisted the tow company in removing the vehicle from the river. By 9:40 p.m., and with no cell or landline service, and the County declared a State of Emergency. Rangers were able to communicate with the County via radio. Rangers continued conducting welfare checks along with New York State Police, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Transportation, and the Town of Hope Highway Department until approximately midnight. Ranger Nally returned the next morning to conduct additional welfare checks and found one subject with a heart condition. Ranger Nally delivered the subject to family members.

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.