Forest Rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to a variety of calls throughout the Adirondacks the past week. Dry, warm, and, at times, breezy conditions combined with ample ground fuel from recently fallen foliage and brush led to numerous wildland fires across the state, all of which were successfully contained and suppressed.

Rangers also engaged in several wilderness rescues for lost or injured hikers. One of which resulted in a helicopter evacuation from Mount Marcy.

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Fires

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On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Forest Rangers suppressed eight fires across seven counties, including one blaze that burned 20 acres in the town of Lawrence in St. Lawrence County. Rangers and firefighters contained a fire in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, to 12 acres. No further information on the fire responses was provided.

The other fires were less than 1.5 acres in size. One of which occurred in the town of Moriah in Essex County, although no further information on that fire was provided.

The causes of these fires include unattended campfires and debris burning. Multiple tickets were issued for leaving campfires unattended and not clearing three feet around a fire.

Conditions continue to result in a “High” fire danger in certain regions in the state. A high fire danger means all fine, dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes, including unattended brush and campfires.

Fires may become serious and controlling them is difficult unless attacked successfully while still small. An updated fire danger map, which the DEC updates daily based on the latest conditions, is available at tinyurl.com/5xwtjr7p.

While the statewide burn ban is no longer in effect, brush burning should be conducted only when absolutely necessary. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.

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Mount Marcy

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KEENE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with a lower leg injury on Mount Marcy at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. State Police Pilot Paul Engel flew Forest Rangers Andrew Lewis and Hannah O’Connor to the scene.

Lewis lowered O’Connor down to the 45-year-old from Lockport. O’Connor stabilized the hiker’s broken leg, and Lewis hoisted the subject into the helicopter so they could fly to the hospital. O’Connor escorted the subject’s husband to Adirondak Loj. Resources were clear at 7 p.m.

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Buck Mountain

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FORT ANN — Forest Rangers Kaitlyn Clute and Joseph Hess responded to a call for a hiker with an ankle injury on Buck Mountain at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

At 5 p.m., Rangers reached the 35-year-old from South Carolina and requested paramedic assistance to stabilize the patient’s ankle. The hiker had fallen and injured her ankle before her 85-pound dog fell on the ankle, as well.

Hess assisted North Queensbury emergency medical services to the location. They stabilized the subject’s ankle, provided pain medication, and assisted her 1.5 miles back to the trailhead where an ambulance transported her to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6:10 p.m. No further information on the hiker or dog’s conditions were available.

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Cobble Lookout

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WILMINGTON — Essex County 911 contacted Ray Brook Dispatch to request Forest Ranger assistance with two hikers lost on the Cobble Lookout trail in Wilmington Wild Forest at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22. At 5:14 p.m., Forest Ranger Nicole DuChene located the 20-year-old from France and 21-year-old from Canada and helped the pair back to the trailhead.