Warren County NY Public Health

06/07/2026

Summer is here, and with it comes a host of health-related concerns. Our Public Health staff's newsletter for June looks at several of them, from bats and ticks, to lawnmower safety and more. Give it a read here and have a safe and healthy summer!

https://tinyurl.com/wcnewsletterjune26

06/06/2026

In 2024, there were 9 New Yorkers who set out for a relaxing day on a boat and never returned home. Recreational boating accidents happen and, unfortunately, some are fatal.

What you may find even more surprising is that more than half of those who died were not operating high speed motor boats, but were actually paddlers. And whether they were in a kayak, canoe, rowboat or on a stand up paddle board, there is one common denominator - wearing a life jacket likely would have saved their lives.

Before heading out on the water, brush up on the rules and best practices on the water at wearitnewyork.com or Wear It New York!

06/05/2026

An important recall has been announced of soft ricotta/requeson cheese that has been sold in New York, which has led to a listeria outbreak.

Listeria can cause serious illness or death, and this outbreak has been linked to one death and numerous hospitalizations.

Find more information here: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-soft-cheese-june-2026r

06/05/2026

June is PTSD Awareness Month. PTSD affects people young and old, in all walks of life. We all react differently to trauma, and it can have devastating effects for some.

Learn more: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

06/04/2026

Head's up for a local air quality alert, the amount of smoke in the air in Queensbury/Glens Falls from this fire may be troublesome for those with respiratory issues ....

Seeing smoke in the south end of the county today? 👀

If you notice smoke in the area today, particularly toward the Moreau region, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is conducting a prescribed burn at Big Bend Preserve on Today from 1030 AM until 3 PM. (Thursday, June 4, 2026)

Prescribed burns are planned and carefully managed by trained professionals to help improve ecosystem health, reduce hazardous vegetation, and lower the risk of future wildfires.

How a prescribed burn helps?

🌲 Reduce Wildfire Risk: They consume hazardous "fuels" like dead leaves, brush, and fallen branches so that future accidental wildfires have less material to burn.

🌱 Improve Ecosystem Health: Fire returns essential nutrients to the soil, removes invasive weeds, and gives native plants room to thrive.

🦫 Manage Wildlife Habitats: They clear overgrown brush to create better feeding and nesting grounds for native wildlife.

Prescribed burns are only conducted under specific weather conditions with detailed planning, safety measures, and personnel in place.

Residents may see or smell smoke throughout the day, particularly depending on wind direction and atmospheric conditions.

A few things to keep in mind:

👀 Smoke may be visible from neighboring communities and roadways even though the burn is not in our county.

🚗 Use caution while driving if you encounter areas of reduced visibility.

🌬️ Individuals sensitive to smoke may wish to limit outdoor activities if smoke becomes noticeable in their area.

As always, if you observe smoke or fire in an unexpected location or believe there is an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Prescribed fire is one of the many tools used to keep our forests healthy, resilient, and safer for future generations.

For additional information, please contact Moreau Lake State Park directly or sign up to receive official updates. You can get notifications when the preserve reopens, as well as future park alerts, through the free Parks Explorer App. Simply download the app and tap the heart icon to "favorite" Moreau Lake State Park.

App Link: https://parks.ny.gov/explorer-app?fbclid=IwY2xjawSOkWlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEed35A3dfM6ZyBKLvptxAgiUS0gEyFk1mcC05xyVC7O4TwpNiIbPeX4cc8VkQ_aem_WhF3cmYbbCnSZsZa21Xu6g

06/04/2026

Some of our staff spent Wednesday and Thursday at Warren County Fish Hatchery in Warrensburg as part of Environmental Field Days, which brings high school students from around Warren County together to learn more about environmental issues! Known as Environmental Field Days, it is organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County.

Public Health Educator Katie B. talked to students about tick-borne illnesses, while agencies from around the region, including our partners at Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, were on hand to teach about a variety of environmental issues. Thank you to our friends at the hatchery for hosting this informative event!

06/04/2026

Did you know that having high blood pressure dramatically increases your risk of having a stroke? Preventing a stroke can be more important than treating one when it happens. Learn more here: www.cdc.gov/stroke/prevention/index.html.

06/04/2026

The heat and air quality concerns of summer are just around the corner, and New York State has released its list of cooling centers/clean air centers for this year. 14 have been designated in Warren County, from Glens Falls to Hague. This list was put together with input from our staff and our friends at Warren County Office of Emergency Services.

These are locations where folks can go to get out of the heat while these facilities are open. Please call ahead if you decide you need to cool off, and if you are concerned about heat stroke or other illness, call 911.

Here are the cooling centers in Warren County:

🆒 Aviation Mall, 578 Aviation Road, Queensbury
𖣘 Bolton Central School, 26 Horicon Avenue, Bolton
❄️ Bolton Free Library, 4922 Lake Shore Drive, Bolton
🌡️ Caldwell Library, 336 Canada Street, Lake George
🆒 Crandall Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls
Hague Community Center, 9793 Graphite Mountain Road, Hague
❄️ Hague Volunteer Fire Department, 4 West Hague Road, Hague
🌡️ Horicon Community Center, 6604 Route 8, Brant Lake
💨 Lake Luzerne Senior Center, 539 Lake Avenue, Lake Luzerne
🆒 Richards Library, 36 Elm Street, Warrensburg
💨Silver Bay YMCA, 87 Silver Bay Road, Hague
𖣘 The Open Door Mission, 226 Warren Street, Glens Falls
🆒 Thurman Town Hall, 311 Athol Road, Thurman
❄️ Town of Chester Public Library, 6307 Route 9, Chestertown

An interactive map and more resources can be found on this NY State website: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/.

06/03/2026

June is Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, a time to highlight the sad facts that this disease affects thousands of new people each year, and the impact can be devastating.

Knowing the signs of the onset of Alzheimer's Disease can be important, allowing for early intervention and treatment. Advances are being made to help improve the quality of life of those struggling with Alzheimer's.

Learn more: https://www.alz.org/

06/03/2026

Harmful Algae Blooms, also known as HABs, have become more frequent in our region recently as temperatures rise. They are primarily a summer and fall phenomenon in our region, and exposure to a HAB can lead to serious health problems for you or your pet.

Knowing how to spot a harmful algae bloom, and how to react if you or your pet have contact with one, can make a difference between a minor nuisance or a full-blow health scare.

NY's HAB reporting website has opened for 2026. Check the attached flyers for more info, and go to www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html to learn how you can protect yourself and your family and report a HAB.