News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Lori O'Connell, 518-402-8000

Media Advisory

ALBANY, NY (08/18/2008; 1519)(readMedia)-- Just home from a 14-day shift fighting raging wildfires in Northern California, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) forest rangers and other forest firefighters will be available for interviews Tuesday as they demobilize.

The crew will demobilize at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Saratoga Fire Cache, which is part of the Saratoga Tree Nursery, 2369 Route 50 Saratoga Springs (just south of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center).

New York forest fire crews score consistently high performance ratings and, therefore, are routinely called upon by the U.S. Forest Service to assist in other states. In July, New York dispatched 8 forest rangers and 10 other DEC employees to help combat the raging wildfires at the Los Padres National Forest in Big Sur, California.

The crew was originally assigned to the Bear Wallow Complex. Approximately 5 days later, they were re-assigned to the Panther Wildland Fire as a Type 2- IA (Initial Attack) Crew. These crews assist in burnout operations, mainly clearing the area for specific burn crews to come in behind them. They are on the fire line.

There will be a media opportunity to speak to the 20-member crew at the DEC staging area on Tuesday, August 19. Media are advised at arrive before 11:30 a.m. if possible.

The DEC personnel dispatched to the fire are:

• Crew Boss - Forest Ranger Timothy J. Carpenter: Bath, NY
  NAF Volunteer Kerry E. Gregg: Lake Ronkonoma, NY
  Forest Ranger Sarah B. Geesler: Livingston Manor, NY
  Forest Ranger Jenifer L. Temple: Rhinebeck, NY
  DEC Volunteer Michael D. Carroll: Little Falls, NY
  DEC Volunteer Joseph M. Pries: Levittown, NY
  NAF Volunteer Christopher M. Kennedy: Hammondsport, NY
  NAF Volunteer Douglas R. Putnam: Scotia, NY
  Forest Ranger Joseph C. Hess: Hoosick Falls, NY
  Forest Ranger Suzanne M. Heare: Hadley, NY
  Forest Ranger Megan E. McCone: Stanfordville, NY
  DEC Volunteer Jason M. Drobnack: Cobleskill, NY
  DEC Volunteer Paul M. Giachetti: Olean, NY
  DEC Volunteer Kraig R. Senter: Groton, NY
  Forest Ranger Bryan P. Gallagher: Shelter Island, NY
  NAF Volunteer Anthony E. Cabales: Fresh Meadows, NY
  NAF Volunteer Jonathan F.Dedrick: Newark, NY
  DEC Volunteer Anthony Y. Leung: StonyBrook, NY
  Forest Ranger Marie C. Ellenbogen: Phoenicia, NY
  NAF Volunteer Joseph P. Schuck: Pulteney, NY