Michael T. Baldwin Reports, 8/4/21
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) 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 across New York State.
In 2020, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 492 search and rescue missions, extinguished 192 wildfires that burned a total of more than 1,122 acres, participated in eight prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 203 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in 3,131 tickets or arrests.
“During New York’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are enjoying the outdoors than ever before and our Forest Rangers are on the front lines to help people get outside responsibly and get home safely,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Rangers’ knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques are critical to the success of their missions, which for more than a century have taken them from remote wilderness areas with rugged mountain peaks, to white water rivers, and throughout our vast forests statewide.”
Town of Allen
Allegany County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 25 at 12:50 p.m., Forest Ranger Thaine was notified by Allegany County 911 that a 24-year-old hiker from Wilson became stranded while attempting to hike around Allen Lake in the Allen Lake State Forest. There was no trail and she encountered difficult vegetation and wetland features. Ranger Thaine contacted her by cellphone and determined the best solution was to canoe across to pick her up. At 3 p.m., Ranger Thaine located the hiker and paddled her back across the lake to her vehicle. All were clear of the scene at 3:30 p.m.
