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 Nelson
Madison County
Law Enforcement: On April 24, at 10:05 p.m., a camper at the Stoney Pond State Forest reported a group of vehicles around his campsite, blocking him in. Forest Ranger Lunt and a New York State Police Trooper responded and found an estimated 60 people and a stack of approximately 30 pallets. The group was illegally burning some of the pallets. Ranger Lunt and the Trooper disbanded the illegal gathering and made sure the group cleaned up the pallets.
Town of Russia
Herkimer County
Wilderness Rescue: While on patrol April 29, at 4:01 p.m., Forest Ranger Waligory encountered an injured subject in the grass just north of a public forest access road. The 54-year-old from Boonville had hit a rut while riding a dual sport motorcycle. The subject was thrown from the motorcycle, resulting in a separated shoulder. Ranger Waligory assessed the subject’s injuries, stabilized his head, and called for an ambulance. At 4:25 p.m., the Poland Fire Department and Kuyahoora Valley Ambulance arrived and transported the subject to the hospital.
Town of Roxbury
Delaware County
Public Outreach: On April 30, Forest Ranger Ellis spoke to students at Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES about the job of a Forest Ranger and requirements to become a Ranger. Approximately 200 students participated in the event.
Towns of Guilderland, Riverhead and Southampton
Albany and Suffolk Counties
Prescribed Fires: On April 30, May 1, and May 2, 10 Forest Rangers joined staff and volunteers from DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests and the Central Pine Barrens Commission to conduct three prescribed fires. The first fire was 32 acres off of River Road in Riverhead. The second was four acres in the David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest. The third fire was 15 acres in the Otis Pike Pine Barrens.
On May 3, Forest Ranger Jackson and Laymon joined staff and volunteers from DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests, the Albany Pine Bush, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to conduct a prescribed fire on nearly 49 acres in the Albany Pine Bush.
Prescribed fire is an important management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. These burns are regulated and require technical expertise to conduct safely. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is used to reduce the buildup of wood, timber litter, and other hazards that fuel fires in order to reduce the potential for wildfires that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. DEC carefully and responsibly implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On May 3, at 4:13 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers lost on the Copperas Pond trail. At 5:05 p.m., Forest Rangers reached the two hikers from Pennsylvania and helped the pair back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 6:25 p.m.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 4, at 6:15 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call from a hiker with a knee injury on Big Slide Mountain. Rangers Black and Curcio reached the hiker from Montreal at 7:40 p.m. They called for additional Rangers to assist with the carry out. Rangers reached the trailhead at 10:31 p.m. The patient refused further medical treatment.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 4, at 8:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker with a broken ankle on Pitchoff Mountain. At 9:37 p.m., seven Forest Rangers and five members of Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks located the 33-year-old from Rochester. Rescuers carried the subject to the trailhead where her hiking partner drove her to the hospital. Resources were clear at 1:07 a.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.
