Recent Regional NYS Forest Ranger Actions
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wildland Fire: On Aug 31 at 6:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker on Noonmark Mountain reporting sustained smoke in the sky. At 3:32 a.m., three Forest Rangers located a fire approximately four miles from the Round Pond trailhead, near Gravestone Brook on the side of Bear Den Mountain. Rangers began suppressing the one-acre fire using hand tools and determined it was caused by lightning. At 7:30 a.m., New York State Police Pilot Beck flew in with pumps and hoses. The fire was burning approximately three feet deep into the duff. By 8 p.m., Rangers contained the fire and on Sept. 4, Rangers declared the fire officially out.
Town of Arietta
Hamilton County
Wildland Fire: On Sept. 1 at 8:20 p.m., hikers in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness called Forest Rangers to report a fire. Rangers Hamm and Thompson responded to Whitney Lake to investigate and spent the night on site. Ranger Nally responded in the morning to assist. On Sept. 2 at 9 p.m., Rangers contained the 0.25-acre fire.
Town of Thurman
Warren County
Wildland Fire: On Sept. 4 at 3 p.m., Warren County Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a structure fire that spread to nearby brush. Rangers Donegan and Kabrehl joined the Chester, Riverside, Stony Creek, Thurman, and Warrensburg fire departments on the scene. By 4:45 p.m., fire crews contained the 0.25-acre fire.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 7 at 8 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker lost and separated from their hiking party on Mount Marcy. Coordinates placed the hiker near the summit of Skylight Mountain. Rangers Foutch and H. Praczkajlo responded to search for the 39-year-old from Michigan. At 9:44 p.m., the other member of the hiking party called to report they were also lost, near the Van Hoevenberg trail. Rangers Holdridge and Odell responded to search for the second hiker, a 42-year-old, also from Michigan. At 11:51 p.m., they located the second hiker and made their way out to Adirondack Loj. At 2:35 a.m., Rangers located the first hiker and headed down the trail. Rangers reunited the two hikers at 11:16 a.m.
Posted: September 9th, 2025 under Adirondack Region News, Environmental News, Northern NY News, State Government News.