Forest Rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to a wide variety of calls throughout the Adirondacks over the past couple of weeks, including rescues for lost, injured or unprepared hikers, as well as participating in the recovery of the remains of a 9-year-old whose father was charged with her murder.

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Missing child found deceased

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TICONDEROGA — Ray Brook Dispatch received a phone call from State Police Sunday morning requesting Forest Ranger assistance in the search for Melina Frattolin, a 9-year-old girl who was allegedly falsely claimed to have been abducted from a rest area near Exit 22 of the Northway, which triggered a statewide Amber Alert for a time. Approximately 30 rangers and Environmental Conservation Police Officers joined the search. At 2 p.m., the continued investigation led searchers to a pond. A ranger-led team of ECOs found the missing child deceased. State Police determined there was no abduction and charged the father, Lucciano Frattolin, with second-degree murder.

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Overnight rescue near Bradley Pond

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NEWCOMB — Forest Rangers Joseph Ordway, Paul Quinones and Scott Sabo responded to a call for an unprepared and lost hiker near Bradley Pond — about 4 miles from the Upper Works Road trailhead — at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday, July 17. Rangers removed blown-down trees to reach the 73-year-old. At 10:39 p.m., Rangers reached the hiker, rewarmed them and provided food and drink. Once the hiker was feeling better, Rangers assisted them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 5:25 a.m. The DEC encourages hikers to bring plenty of food and water for their hike in case the hike lasts longer than expected. Proper preparation for a hike can reduce the risk of dehydration.

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Elderly hiker falls down embankment

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BRIGHTON — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about an elderly hiker who had fallen down an embankment at 1:25 p.m. on Thursday, July 17. The 92-year-old from Saranac Lake was unable to walk on their own. Forest Rangers Matthew Adams and Hannah Praczkajlo, along with the Paul Smiths-Gabriels and Saranac Lake volunteer fire departments reached the subject and assisted them down to the Black Pond trailhead. The Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad transported the hiker to the hospital. Resources were clear at 2:10 p.m. It’s unclear what the subject’s post-rescue medical condition is.

False markings trick hikers off trail

INLET — Herkimer County Dispatch transferred a call to Ray Brook Dispatch from three hikers off trail on Black Bear Mountain at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16. The 44-year-old and two teenagers from Pennsylvania followed blue paint that was illegally sprayed on trees down the summit. It was a false trail. Forest Rangers Gary Miller and Evan Nahor responded to the coordinates from the call, found the three subjects in good spirits and assisted them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 4:30 p.m. The DEC reminds the public that it is illegal to add paint to a trail. Responsible parties may face misdemeanor charges if caught.

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Early morning medical emergency

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LAKE PLEASANT — Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of a camper experiencing a medical issue, possibly atrial fibrillation at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15. Forest Rangers David Nally and Matthew Savarie responded to the Indian Lake Islands campground boat launch where they were met by Speculator EMS and campground staff. Rangers retrieved the 71-year-old from Ohio and transported them to the boat launch. Speculator EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6 a.m. It’s unclear what the subject’s post-rescue medical condition is.

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Wildland fire contained over two days

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CHESTERFIELD — Ray Brook Dispatch received a request from local fire departments for Forest Ranger assistance with a wildland fire believed to be caused by lightning on Saturday, July 12. Forest Ranger Corenne Black shared a unified command with the Keeseville Volunteer Fire Department. They assigned crews from six fire departments, Keeseville EMS, and seven rangers to control the fire. Crews worked overnight and into the next day, containing the two-acre fire by the evening of Sunday, July 13.

Dehydrated hiker helped off Buck Mountain

FORT ANN — Washington County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a dehydrated hiker near the summit of Buck Mountain at 11:50 a.m. on Thursday, July 10. Rangers Carabetta and Clute reached the 31-year-old by 12:30 p.m., rehydrated the subject and assisted them back to the trailhead, where Fort Ann EMS evaluated the patient. The DEC encourages hikers to bring plenty of food and water for their hike in case the hike lasts longer than expected. Proper preparation for a hike can reduce the risk of dehydration.

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Hiker flown to hospital for leg injury

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NORTH ELBA — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Garmin about an SOS from a 13-year-old hiking with a camp group who suffered an upper leg injury on Indian Pass near Wallface Mountain at 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8. At 8:15 p.m., a State Police helicopter inserted Forest Rangers Jenna Curcio and Logan Quinn to the location. Rangers splinted the hiker’s injured leg and harnessed the teenager from Virginia for a successful hoist. At 8:35 p.m., the State Police helicopter flew the patient to the hospital. It’s unclear what the subject’s post-rescue medical condition is.

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Missing hiker found in good condition

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KEENE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call at 5:03 p.m. on Sunday, June 20 from the brother of a hiker who had last been heard from the night before on the summit of Mount Marcy. Forest Rangers searched overnight with negative results. The following morning at 6:35 a.m., an Assistant Forest Ranger Vaughn located the 22-year-old from Pennsylvania alive and well in a lean-to.