Snowmobiles fall through ice on Long Lake

Recent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:

Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Snowmobile Training: On March 4, Forest Rangers from Region 5 helped train members of the 103rd Rescue Squadron on backcountry snowmobile operations. The 103rd Rescue Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard stationed on Long Island. The pararescue jumpers utilize areas in the Adirondacks to train for cold weather remote travel and overnight survival skills. Forest Rangers instruct participants in advanced snowmobile operation skills, including troubleshooting disabled snow machines, off-trail deep snow traversing, proper techniques to free stuck snowmobiles, crossing rivers and drainages, hill climbing, and towing gear and disabled snowmobiles.

Town of Long Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On March 4 at 9:33 p.m., Ranger Milano responded to the scene after hearing reports of a snowmobile that had fallen through the ice on Long Lake. New York State Police (NYSP) were already at the scene and had determined none of the subjects were seriously injured. Ranger Milano drove one snowmobile off the lake to safety. The Ranger and members of the Long Lake Fire Department put cones around the submerged snowmobiles for removal when conditions improve. Resources were clear at 11:53 p.m.

Brush Burn Ban: From March 16 through May 14, New York’s annual statewide ban prohibiting brush burning is in effect. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires each spring. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed. Small cooking fires are allowed, but only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these or any fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC’s FIREWISE New York webpage.

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.