Rangers also responded to a wildfire, originally caused by lightning, that had grown to two acres in the Hudson River Special Management Area in Warren County, which required two days to contain. A total of 10 DEC forest rangers and two local volunteer fire departments responded.

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Lost hiker taken to hospital

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A DEC forest ranger is seen spraying water to contain a wildfire in the town of Lake Luzerne. Firefighters and forest rangers spent two days suppressing the fire, which had grown to two acres. The fire was fully contained on Wednesday, Aug. 27. (Provided photo — New York state Department of Environmental Conservation)

NORTH ELBA — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker reporting they were lost in the woods at 10:33 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1 Dispatch directed the hiker to call 911 so they could obtain coordinates. Coordinates placed the 69-year-old from Camillus in the 37,200-acre McKenzie Mountain Wilderness. At 12:05 a.m., Forest Rangers David Corey and Charles Foutch reached the subject and assisted them to the trailhead, where they were met by Lake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service. The ambulance transported the patient to the hospital for evaluation. It was unclear what the subject’s post-rescue medical status is.

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Collapsed hiker recovers

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CHESTERFIELD — Forest Rangers Sarah Bode and Michael Holdridge responded to a call for a hiker who collapsed while hiking Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 31. At 1 p.m., Rangers reached the 30-year-old from Plattsburgh, who was conscious, breathing and able to walk. Rangers ensured the hiker made it to the trailhead. The subject refused further medical assistance.

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On trail at night with no light

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NORTH ELBA — Forest Ranger Robert Praczkajlo responded to a call for three hikers on McKenzie Mountain without any light source at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30. Praczkajlo reached the unprepared group, provided headlamps and escorted them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 10:20 p.m.

Lost without light at night near Long Lake

LONG LAKE — Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Hamilton County 911 Dispatch about three lost hikers in the John Dillon Park area at 8:20 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26. The trio, ages 9, 50 and 55, had no light source and a very low cellphone battery. At 10 p.m., Forest Ranger Evan Nahor reached the subjects and provided a ride to their vehicle at the park.

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Camper ticketed for allegedly shooting at heron

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PERU — An off-duty DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officer received a call about a subject who had taken a shot at a blue heron at Ausable Point Campground at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Forest Ranger Praczkajlo responded and issued tickets to the 33-year-old subject from Hudson Falls for disorderly conduct, disturbing wildlife and possessing and discharging a firearm in a campground. The heron was not found. DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement will work with the Division of Forest Protection in the ongoing investigation.

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Multiday fight contains wildfire

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LAKE LUZERNE — Forest Rangers Evan Donegan, Peter Morehouse and Michael Thompson assisted the Corinth and Luzerne-Hadley volunteer fire departments with locating a wildland fire reported at the Hudson River Special Management Area at 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25. Firefighters worked into the night on suppression and containment efforts. The following morning, seven rangers joined other firefighters and achieved 50 percent containment on the two-acre fire in Eddy Swamp. At 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25 firefighters fully contained the fire and determined it started from a lightning strike the week prior. Video of the fire is available at tinyurl.com/yek3mxtj.