New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate, and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.
In 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.
“Whether they are leading complex search and rescue incidents, suppressing wildfires, enforcing laws on State lands and easements, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, or encouraging responsible recreation, Forest Rangers stand ready to help when called,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “Forest Rangers’ wide-ranging expertise and collaboration with local, State, and federal partners are instrumental in protecting New York’s public lands and the many visitors who use them.”
Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Training: On Dec. 16, Forest Ranger Scott and Blue Mountain Lake Volunteer Fire Chief (retired Forest Ranger) George co-instructed flat ice rescue training to members of the fire department. Training included self-rescue skills and use of a reach pole to rescue a subject. Students also learned about active “go-rescues” where two rescuers enter the water with proper cold-water suits and a belay line is deployed to secure and retrieve distressed subjects from icy waters. Forest Rangers and volunteer fire departments work closely on many emergencies. Training together leads to more successful outcomes during actual incidents.
Flat ice rescue training
Flat ice rescue training
City of Buffalo
Erie County
Training: On Dec. 18 and 19, Forest Ranger Robitaille assisted the University at Buffalo Police Department with defensive tactics training for six new officers. Topics included arrest techniques, physical ground defense, and officer safety.
Defensive tactics training
Town of Arietta
Hamilton County
Snowmobile Crash: On Dec. 20 at 9:18 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office requesting Forest Ranger assistance with a disabled snowmobile on a seasonal road in the Moose River Plains camping area. Rangers Miller and Savarie reached the subject who had struck a felled tree lying across the snow-covered trail. The 33-year-old snowmobiler from Gansevoort went airborne and landed on his shoulder. Rangers provided a sling to immobilize the shoulder and transported the subject via snowmobile back to his vehicle. The subject refused further medical care. Resources were clear at 11:59 p.m.
Snowmobile hits tree in Moose River Plains
Town of Dresden
Washington County
Wilderness Recovery: On Dec. 21 at 6:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a mother concerned about her son after not hearing from him for three days. Seven Forest Rangers responded to coordinate search efforts with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. The family indicated they often hiked Sugarloaf Mountain together, so search efforts focused on that area. At 10:20 p.m., Rangers found the 20-year-old from Whitehall deceased at the bottom of a cliff. Rangers conducted a carry-out operation back to the trailhead to turn the subject over to the County Coroner. The Washington County Sheriff’s Department is working with the DEC Division of Law Enforcement’s Bureau of Environmental Crime Investigations to investigate the incident.
Town of Pawling
Dutchess County
Ice Rescue: On Dec. 23 at 12:35 p.m., Forest Ranger Cowart responded to a call for a skater who had fallen through the ice on Lake Dutchess. When Ranger Cowart arrived, a Pawling Fire Department member had already secured the 31-year-old from Pawling in a kayak but was unable to get himself out of the water. Ranger Cowart worked with New York State Police, Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department, and Kent Police on a flat ice rescue. Ranger Cowart was secured to a 300-foot rope before entering the ice. The Fire Department rescuer was tethered to a short rope that Ranger Cowart grabbed to pull him to safety. Once on the surface of the ice, Ranger Cowart directed response personnel to pull all three individuals back to shore. The subject was taken to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia. Resources were clear at 1:43 p.m.
Lake Dutchess rescue
Town of Summit
Schoharie County
Training: On Dec. 24, Forest Ranger France conducted field training with Ranger Welch at Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest to demonstrate different ways to patrol State lands during the winter months. Rangers often utilize cross country skis to cover the area as quickly as possible.
Ranger France on cross country ski patrol
Town of North Elba
Essex Count
Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 26 at 12:52 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker at Marcy Dam who advised their feet were frozen and they could not continue hiking. Forest Rangers Curcio and Rooney located two 18-year-olds from New Jersey. One of them was barefoot with his feet wrapped in his jacket. The hiker’s boots and socks were frozen. Rangers treated both subjects for mild hypothermia, provided extra layers of clothes, and transported the pair back to the trailhead. Resources were clear by 4 p.m.
Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 27 at 10:24 a.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for an ice-climber fall in Kaaterskill Clove. The 62-year-old fell approximately 35 feet. Rangers worked with Haines Falls Rescue, Kingston Technical Rescue Team, Tannersville Rescue, and the Twin Cloves Technical Rescue Team on a technical rope rescue. Crews pulled the climber to safety and brought him to a waiting Hunter Ambulance. Resources were clear at 12:15 p.m.
Kaaterskill Clove ice
Kaaterskill Clove ice
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC's Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information, and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.
If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it's for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.
