New York State is under a burn ban until October 15 due to drought, prompting forest rangers to combat multiple wildfires. Key incidents include:
- Oct. 5: Rangers and local fire departments tackled a 37-acre wildfire in Piseco Lake.
- Oct. 3: A brush fire at a Tully farm was extinguished; the owner was ticketed for leaving it unattended.
- Oct. 1: A .7-acre fire in Tuxedo was 85% controlled, with rangers using inflatable boats, while another .2-acre fire at a camp in Newcomb was contained.
- Sept. 30: A ranger extinguished ΒΌ-acre of burning leaf litter in Hartwick.
Rangers also assisted with several hiker rescues:
- A 90-year-old man with dementia was found in Hancock.
- Injuries and exhaustion affected several hikers, with rangers providing first aid and assistance.
Rangers advise hikers to carry the 10 Hiking Essentials and not rely solely on cell phones for navigation.
