Rangers assist injured hiker on Cascade

Recent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 9 at 2:30 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from New York State Police B Command advising of a lost hiker in the OK Slip Falls area. The hiker stated she became disoriented while hiking out and was standing near a river. Forest Rangers Scott and Miller responded. Ranger Scott tried to call the woman, but due to limited cell service, texted her with instructions. Not knowing if the subject received the instructions, Rangers Scott and Miller searched the trail and found the 56-year-old woman from North Creek heading back in the correct direction. She had received the text message, but could not send a reply. The Rangers and hiker proceeded back to trailhead.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 10 at 11:50 a.m., Essex County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch regarding a hiker who had fallen on a trail and sustained an injury while descending Cascade Mountain. Forest Ranger LaPierre responded to assist. The reporting party, an EMT, was escorting the injured party down the trail to meet up with rescuers. Forest Ranger Lapierre reached the 19-year-old woman from Penfield at 1 p.m., and determined her injuries were more serious than first reported. New York State Police Aviation performed a hoist rescue and the subject was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Department
Fulton County
Wildfire Prevention: On April 8, Forest Rangers Nally and Thompson, with the assistance of DEC Operations Northville sign shop staff Bailey and Edwards, installed a new Smokey Bear fire danger rating sign at the recently constructed Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Company firehouse. Forest Rangers work closely with many local fire companies across the state, and while installing the sign were called upon to respond to a small brush fire. The Rangers and the fire company suppressed the fire quickly and returned to the fire house to complete the installation. DEC reminds New Yorkers that the State’s residential brush burning ban is in effect through May 14 to reduce the number of spring brush fires. For more information, go to DEC’s website.