Town of Western
Oneida County
Law Enforcement:On June 11, at 12:37 p.m., while inspecting a campsite at Buck Hill State Forest, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Hoag and Ranger Piersma encountered a subject with an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the town of New Hartford. The 35-year-old was wanted on a grand larceny charge. Rangers took the subject into custody without incident and transported them to the New Hartford Police Department.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Search:On June 12, at 11:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker at Adirondak Loj stating he had become separated from his hiking partner above the Slant Rock junction descending from Mount Marcy. The following day, 19 Forest Rangers joined the search efforts. The Marcy Dam and John’s Brook caretakers checked registers and the immediate areas near the outposts. New York State Police Aviation assisted in the search of drainages and trails. At 6 p.m., two hikers observed the 68-year-old from Amsterdam approaching the trail from the John’s Brook drainage and assisted the subject to the lodge. Rangers helped the subject back to the south side trail and then to Smith Way.
Search for missing hiker above Slant Rock junction. NYS DEC photo.
Village of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue:On June 13, at 11:55 a.m., Washington County Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker with an ankle injury on Buck Mountain. Four Rangers responded with West Fort Ann Fire Department, splinted the hiker’s lower leg, and packaged her into a wheeled litter. Rescuers transported the 42-year-old from Rensselaer County approximately one mile to the Buck Mountain trailhead on Shelving Rock Road where they were met by an ambulance that took her to the hospital. Resources were clear at 3:15 p.m.
People and Forest Rangers performing Buck Mountain Rescue in woods. NYS DEC photo
Town of Black Brook
Clinton County
Boating Rescue:On June 13, at 6 p.m., Acting Forest Ranger Captain Booth responded to Taylor Pond for a report of two stranded kayakers. The 76-year-old from Jay and 60-year-old from Au Sable Forks were unable to paddle against the wind so they paddled to the nearest shoreline and called for help. An angler offered to take Acting Captain Booth on his boat to help the kayakers. They reached the kayakers, helped them into the boat, retrieved the kayaks, and offboarded them safely at the Taylor Pond campground. Resources were clear at 8:05 p.m.
Village of Boonville
Oneida County
Wilderness Recovery:On June 14, at 8:22 a.m., six Forest Rangers responded to a search for a missing angler in the vicinity of the Black River. New York State Police (NYSP) used K9, aviation, drone, airboat, and road patrol resources. Boonville Search and Rescue assisted with efforts on the ground. At 12:12 p.m., crews encountered a witness who reported seeing the 82-year-old fishing the night before on a tributary to the main river. Search crews moved to that area. At 1:08 p.m., NYSP crews found the angler deceased along a trail leading from the river back to the road. Rangers used a wheeled litter to transport the subject to a Boonville Ambulance. Resources were clear at 3:29 p.m.
Town of Arietta
Hamilton County
Wilderness Recovery:On June 14, at 9:25 p.m., Hamilton County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a despondent subject in the area of Good Luck Lake. New York State Police (NYSP) and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department continued searching with Rangers at 7 a.m. At 7:50 a.m., crews located the subject deceased. Rangers carried out the subject to the Hamilton County Coroner. NYSP is leading the investigation.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, help is available. 988 is a free 24-hour hotline to call or text anywhere in New York. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Town of Westville
Franklin County
Law Enforcement:On June 15, at 8 p.m., Franklin County Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for enforcement of a debris fire that escaped containment. Forest Ranger Odell found the subjects burning debris, including pieces of a camper. In addition to the illegal debris burning, the subjects did not clear the area three feet around the debris pile. Ranger Odell issued one ticket.
Illegal debris burning in Westville. NYS DEC photo.
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’sHike Smart NY,Adirondack Backcountry Information, andCatskill Backcountry Informationwebpages 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 easem*nts, 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 hasphone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.
