New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people from the backcountry.

“DEC Forest Rangers’ knowledge of first aid, land navigation and technical rescue techniques are often critical to the success of their missions,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “Search and rescue missions often require Rangers to function in remote wilderness areas from rugged mountainous peaks to white-water rivers, and through vast forest areas from spruce-fir thicket to open hardwoods.”

Recent missions carried out by DEC Forest Rangers in the Adirondacks include:

Essex County
McKenzie Mountain Wilderness – Town of Wilmington

Distressed hiker: On June 10, 2015 at 4:15 p.m., DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a 37-year-old man from Hollywood, FL saying that he and his dog had become exhausted and could not continue to the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Ray Brook Dispatch advised him to call 911 to obtain his GPS coordinates. A DEC Forest Ranger responded with an ATV to the Connery Pond Trail and continued to Whiteface Landing where he talked to the man by phone. The Ranger met up with the hiker just south of the Whiteface lean-to and provided him with food and water before assisting him back to Whiteface Landing. The Forest Ranger then gave the man and his dog a ride back to the trailhead by ATV. The incident concluded at 8:00 p.m.

Hamilton County
Moose River Plains Wild Forest – Town of Indian Lake

Injured cyclists: On June 13, 2015 DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received reports of two bicycle accidents on Moose River Plains Road during the Adirondack Black Fly Challenge Bicycle Race. The first accident, which happened at 1:50 p.m., involved a 60-year-old man from Delmar, NY who was participating in the race. A DEC Forest Ranger responded and provided basic first aid until the Indian Lake EMS arrived on scene. Indian Lake EMS transported the man to a local medical facility. At 2:05 p.m., a 60-year-old male participant from New Hartford also crashed on Moose River Plains Road. A DEC Forest Ranger responded and provided basic first aid until the Inlet EMS arrived on scene and transported to the injured man to a local medical facility.

Washington County
Lake George Wild Forest – Town of Fort Ann

Distressed hiker: On June 11, 2105 at 3:47 p.m., Warren County 911 contacted DEC Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a 23-year-old woman from Wilton in medical distress on Buck Mountain. The hiking party was approximately 2 ½ miles from the Pilot Knob trailhead. Four DEC Forest Rangers responded along with the Pilot Knob and North Queensbury Fire Departments and EMS. Forest Rangers reached the woman at 4:50 p.m. Due to her health condition, New York State Police Aviation responded and transported her to the North Queensbury Fire Department at 6:30 p.m. From there, an ambulance transported her to Glens Falls Hospital.

Lake George Wild Forest – Town of Fort Ann

Injured emergency responders: On June 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., an ATV overturned on the Buck Mountain trail injuring two members of the North Queensbury Fire Department. The department members; a 75-year-old man from Boydton, VA and a 64-year-old man from Lake George, had been assisting in an earlier rescue. A carryout was necessary due to the extent of one of the injuries. DEC Forest Rangers and Fire Department members carried the more injured man to the trailhead and Lake George EMS transported him to Glens Falls Hospital at 9:25 p.m. The other man walked out on his own.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hiking Safety and Adirondack Trail Information webpages for more information.