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 outdoor 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.”
City of Albany
Albany County
Prescribed Fire: On April 9, Forest Ranger Laymon joined staff and volunteers from DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests, Albany Pine Bush, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to conduct a prescribed fire on 44 acres in the Albany Pine Bush. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species and reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.
Town of Cameron
Steuben County
Prescribed Fire: On April 9, eight Forest Rangers joined staff and volunteers from DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife and Fire Wardens to conduct a prescribed fire on 22 acres in Cameron Meadows. Learn more about prescribed fire season on DEC’s website.
Town of Brookhaven
Suffolk County
Prescribed Fire: On April 9, Forest Rangers from Region 1 joined staff and volunteers from DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests and Central Pine Barrens to conduct a prescribed fire on 82 acres in the Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest. Controlled burns help make the Pine Barrens more resilient to the invasive southern pine beetle and help reduce fuel loads to better prevent wildfires that could impact public safety in nearby communities.
Town of Lysander
Onondaga County
Prescribed Fire: On April 9, Forest Rangers from Region 7 joined staff and volunteers from DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife to conduct a prescribed fire on 80.5 acres in the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area to propagate warm summer grasses and eliminate invasive species.
Town of Schroeppel
Oswego County
Wildland Fire: On April 9, at 3:15 p.m., after finishing work on a prescribed fire, Forest Ranger Captain Jackson observed a plume of smoke from an unrelated fire. Captain Jackson was first on scene and worked on containment while four fire departments responded to the two-acre fire. By 5:30 p.m., fire crews declared the fire out. The person who started the fire was ticketed for failure to clear flammable material three feet from the fire perimeter.
City of Cohoes and Hamlet of Narrowsburg
Rensselaer and Sullivan Counties
Training: On April 11, Forest Rangers trained in American Canoe Association instruction conducted swift water rescue training for 21 Rangers on the Delaware River. On April 12, the instructors led training for 16 Rangers on the Mohawk River. Rangers trained for inflatable rescue boat operations in fast moving water, stranded subject rescues, and tethered boat setup.
Town of Brighton
Franklin County
Training: On April 13 and 14, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Dicintio and Rangers O’Connor and Praczkajlo taught wildland fire courses to 17 volunteer firefighters at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center. The volunteer firefighters often work side-by-side with Forest Rangers during wildland fires.
Town of Rockland
Sullivan County
Wilderness Search: On April 14, at 1:30 p.m., Forest Rangers O’Connell and Schweider responded to a call for help from a 61-year-old hiker lost on private land. Rangers worked with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and the Beaverkill Valley Fire Department. At 3:30 p.m., using coordinates from the 911 call, Ranger O’Connell located the subject and helped her back to the road.
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.
