State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers located two lost hikers and two lost hunters last week, and a trio of rangers also helped put out a small wildfire.

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Town of Salem

Three forest rangers assisted Washington County volunteer firefighters put out a small blaze caused by a homeowner dumping hot coals outside.

The fire was extinguished, and the homeowner was issued a ticket “for leaving burning materials outside in a manner that can cause a wildfire.”

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Town of Bolton

A pair of New York City hikers became lost on Thomas Mountain just before 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. They were unprepared to navigate at night and lost the trail, but found a small cabin.

A ranger responded and hiked to the cabin. After providing the hikers with flashlights, Ranger Art Perryman escorted the hikers back to their vehicle by 7 p.m.

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Town of Mayfield

A 16-year-old male became separated from his hunting party on Saturday, Nov. 25 while hunting in the Tolmantown Road area in Fulton County.

A DEC environmental conservation officer was made aware of the missing youth, and two rangers and Fulton County sheriff’s deputies joined in the search. Just before 9:30 p.m., the hunter was located and escorted out of the woods.

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Town of Indian Lake

Just after 4 p.m. on Nov. 25, a 70-year-old man was reported missing after he failed to return to his hunting party in the Jessup River Wild Forest.

Four forest rangers began a search, which included a boat patrol on Indian Lake, while sheriff’s deputies patrolled nearby roads. At 11:08 p.m., the man was found in good health and was reunited with his hunting party.