Allegany County
Town of Birdsall
Search: On April 23, Ranger Justin Thaine responded to a 911 call reporting four people in two vehicles stranded on a backcountry road near Jersey Hill State Forest. One of the group was reported to be injured. Cell phone coordinates made locating the group easy with the exception of the off-road conditions. Thaine located the group by hiking to their location. He provided first aid while local emergency services were stationed at the nearest road location. An elderly couple, ages 79 and 80, were transported by ATV to a waiting ambulance. The other couple managed to get one vehicle moving again and returned to the highway; the second vehicle required towing. Officer Thaine also expressed his appreciation for fire and ambulance members from Birdsall and Angelica who assisted at the scene. He said an area homeowner also provided support.
Steuben County
Town of Cameron
Prescribed Fire: On April 17, Forest Ranger Timothy Carpenter supervised a five-acre prescribed fire in the West Cameron Wildlife Management Area assisted by seven additional rangers and five DEC firefighters. This fire burned was conducted to improve wildlife habitat by maintaining grass and eliminating woody plants. The controlled fire went as planned and was out by mid-afternoon. This was the third prescribed fire this spring on DEC lands in Steuben County for a combined treatment of 63 acres.
