Lost hikers in Zoar Valley were assisted this weekend by deputies with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and state forest rangers.

In a news release, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said rangers were alerted at 6 p.m. Saturday to two lost hikers on the north side of the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area.

A ranger and deputy, based on coordinates provided by Erie County Dispatch, located the lost hikers, both from Corfu. They walked to the Button Road access before the hikers were transported back to their vehicle.

In 2019, state DEC Forest Rangers conducted 337 search and rescue missions, extinguished 74 wildfires that burned a total of 212 acres, participated in 29 prescribed fires that burned and rejuvenated 645 acres and worked on cases that resulted in 2,507 tickets or arrests.

“DEC celebrates our 50th anniversary this year, but our Forest Rangers have been on the front lines for even longer, protecting New York’s wildlife, natural resources, residents, and visitors for more than a century,” said DEC commissioner Basil Seggos. “The state’s brave Forest Rangers have a vast knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques that are critical to the success of their missions in remote wilderness areas, rugged mountainous peaks, white water rivers, frozen lakes, and forested areas statewide. We are proud of the work our Forest Rangers perform and look forward to another 50 years and beyond of highly trained service.”