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.
“DEC Forest Rangers are among the nation’s most versatile first responders, utilizing their expert training and wide-ranging knowledge to protect natural resources while encouraging responsible stewardship among those who visit State lands and sites,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Their expertise in wildland fire suppression, technical rescue techniques, and law enforcement mean that Rangers are always prepared to successfully execute critical missions, here in New York State, as well as across the continent.”
Town of Lorraine
Jefferson County
Public Protection: On March 30, 12 Forest Rangers were assigned to protect DEC lands and roads during the 19th annual SNIRT Run, which brings thousands of off-road vehicles to the area. At 3 p.m., Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputies requested Forest Ranger assistance with a machine operating in a protected stream. Rangers issued one ticket for illegal motor vehicle use on State land and one ticket for defacing/damaging plants, rocks, or soil on State land. Environmental Conservation Police Officers also responded to handle the charge of disturbing a protected stream bed.
Town of Lysander
Onondaga County
Prescribed Fire: On April 1, Forest Rangers joined staff and volunteers from DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, as well as Fire Wardens and SUNY ESF personnel to conduct a prescribed fire to burn 32 acres in the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area. Controlled burns help make areas like this one more resilient to invasive species. Learn more about prescribed fire season on DEC’s website.
City of Albany
Albany County
Prescribed Fire: On April 1, Forest Rangers joined DEC staff and volunteers, Albany Pine Bush staff, and members of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to conduct a prescribed fire on 11 acres in the Albany Pine Bush. Prescribed fires help prevent the spread of invasive species and reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.
Town of Cambridge
Washington County
Wildland Fire: On April 1 at 3:30 p.m., Washington County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a wildland fire on Kenyon Road. The agricultural brush burn escaped containment and spread to an adjacent structure. The Easton Fire Department was already scene when Rangers Carabetta and St. Claire arrived and helped get the one-acre fire under control. The subject who started the fire was issued a ticket for leaving a fire unattended.
Town of Cape Vincent and Lyme
Jefferson County
Prescribed Fire: On April 1, Forest Rangers joined staff and volunteers from DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife to conduct a prescribed fire to burn 37 acres in the Ashland Flats Wildlife Area. The burn plan included taking out at least 30 percent of the competing woody shrubs within the area and exposing at least 30 percent of mineral soil to promote grassland plant species growth.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 5 at 9:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker requesting a ride because his camping gear got wet while on the Rooster Comb trail. Because the hiker was not injured, Dispatch encouraged him to make his way to the trailhead, get a ride, and find lodging. At 9:30 p.m., the 22-year-old from Massachusetts called back and said he was too cold and didn’t know if he could navigate the steep embankment with his bicycle. Forest Ranger Praczkajlo made contact with the subject, hiked into the campsite to retrieve the bike and gear, and helped him to a local motel. The hiker was not dressed appropriately for the conditions, wearing only sneakers, jeans, and a light jacket.
Town of Santa Clara
Franklin County
Wilderness Rescue: Thanks in part to DEC’s preventative search-and-rescue education conducted at Adirondack trailheads on April 8, bolstered by weeks of public safety messaging in advance of the eclipse by New York State agencies, Forest Rangers were only called to one rescue on the evening of the eclipse. At 4:32 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with a lower leg injury near the summit of Mount Saint Regis. Due to the terrain and trail conditions, Forest Rangers called for New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation assistance. At 6:15 p.m., NYSP Pilots and Rangers successfully hoisted the 29-year-old from Elmira and flew her to the hospital. Rangers on the ground helped the rest of the hiking party out of the woods. Resources were clear at 7:40 p.m.
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.
