DEC Forest Rangers – Week in Review

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.”

Hamlet of Wanakena 
St. Lawrence County 
Forest Ranger Academy: The 24^th Basic School for Forest Rangers completed week 11 of training at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) Ranger School. Recruits completed training in professional communications, wildfire investigations, domestic violence prevention, interacting with people with disabilities, and defensive tactics. The academy is now moving to SUNY ESF’s Huntington Forest campus in Newcomb. 
 

Those interested in future opportunities to become a Forest Ranger are encouraged to apply by Aug. 14 to take the next Civil Service exam scheduled this fall. Visit the New York State Department of Civil Service's website to view the exam announcement and learn more. 

Forest Ranger recruits at SUNY ESF Ranger School 

Town of Piercefield 
St. Lawrence County 
Wilderness Search: On July 31 at 12:55 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call requesting Forest Ranger assistance with the search for a missing 12-year-old. The child from Brockport did not show up for a 10:45 a.m. activity at the Massaweppie Scout Camp and had last been seen by his scout leader at 10:30 a.m. Six Rangers, five Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs), the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, and camp staff searched through the afternoon and into the night. Search crews checked all structures in the camp, nearby parked vehicles, Long Pond, and Massawepie Lake. At 8:07 p.m., a community member at a nearby hunting camp found the subject. Ranger Emerson and ECO Atwood drove the subject back to the camp where he was reunited with his mother. Resources were clear at 9:30 p.m. 

Search for missing 12-year-old 

City of Syracuse  
Onondaga County  
Public Outreach: On Aug. 1, Forest Ranger Chappell spoke to children from the Power Scholars Academy, a program run in conjunction with the YMCA of Central New York and the Syracuse City Parks and Recreation Department. Ranger Chappell explained the duties of a Forest Ranger and demonstrated a carry-out rescue at the Syracuse Northeast Community Center. 

Ranger Chappell demonstrates carry-out rescue 

Town of Hunter 
Greene County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 1 at 4:45 p.m., Forest Rangers Gullen and Peterson responded to a call for a hiker who had fallen near the observation deck at Kaaterskill Falls. The 26-year-old from New York City sustained a dislocated shoulder in the fall. Rangers and Assistant Forest Rangers Massa and Zeleznik walked the subject out to Hunter EMS who transported him to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6:15 p.m. 

Town of Clifton 
St. Lawrence County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 1 at 10:45 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to Cranberry Lake for a report of a hiker with a head injury near Curtis Pond. Rangers took a boat across the lake and hiked into the area where they found the 25-year-old from New Jersey suffering from a head injury sustained earlier in the day. Despite the injury, the subject continued to hike 10 more miles, before becoming nauseated and dizzy. Rangers assessed and then assisted the subject to the boat and transported her across the lake to Cranberry Lake Rescue, who took her to the hospital. Resources were clear at 3:30 a.m. 

Cranberry Lake rescue 

Town of Keene 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 2 at 4:17 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a report of a hiker in mental distress at Adirondack Mountain Reserve on the HG Leach trail. Forest Ranger O’Connor found the 27-year-old from New Jersey sitting approximately 100 feet off the trail. Ranger DuChene arrived with Keene Valley EMS and the subject’s girlfriend. The subject became irate and started throwing himself further downhill. Through further investigation, Rangers determined the patient was under the influence of an unprescribed drug, which required medical intervention. The rescue team secured the subject and carried him out to a waiting Keene Valley ambulance. Resources were clear at 7:45 p.m. 

Town of Newcomb 
Essex County 
Wilderness Recue: On Aug. 2 at 9:30 p.m., Essex County 911 alerted Ray Brook Dispatch to a sick hiker approximately one-half mile from the Colden Outpost, but the call dropped before they could get exact coordinates. Assistant Forest Ranger Jackson and Forest Ranger O’Connor responded but were unable to find the subject. Ranger Scott responded from Upper Works and found the hiker from Baldwinsville at 12:15 a.m. Ranger Scott rehydrated the hiker and helped him back to his vehicle. Resources were clear at 1:55 a.m. 

Village of Lyons Falls 
Lewis County 
Water Recue: On Aug. 3 at 11:25 a.m., Forest Rangers Evans and Lee responded to a call for multiple subjects in distress in the Black River. A 66-year-old, 44-year-old, 37-year-old, and 5-year-old from Boonville were approximately one mile downstream from the Lyons Falls boat launch when they fell out of their kayaks. A nearby motorboat operator helped the four into the boat. Rangers arrived in an air boat and brought the subjects to a waiting ambulance. Rangers assisted the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department and the 3G, Lyons Falls, and Port Leyden Fire Departments. Resources were clear at 1:30 p.m. 

Town of Keene 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 3 at 6:20 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker on Giant Mountain reporting her Siberian Husky had injured its foot and refused to walk. The 30-year-old from Manlius was approximately 1.2 miles from the trailhead and unable to carry the dog. At 8:10 p.m., Forest Ranger Lewis reached the hiker and her dog, bandaged the dog’s paws, and helped them walk back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 10:15 p.m. 

Siberian Husky rescued on Giant Mountain 

Ranger Lewis rescues hiker and dog on Giant Mountain 

Town of Clifton 
St. Lawrence County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 4 at 3:45 p.m., St. Lawrence County requested Forest Ranger assistance for two hikers who had suffered hip injuries at Chair Rock Flow. Forest Ranger Emerson and Assistant Forest Ranger Robert responded with Cranberry Lake Volunteer Fire Department. Rescuers helped both subjects approximately 0.75 miles to the lake and then 5.5 miles by boat to the Cranberry Lake boat launch where they were met by an ambulance. Resources were clear at 6:15 p.m. 

Town of Clifton 
St. Lawrence County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 4 at 3:52 p.m., the Cranberry Lake Campground caretaker requested Forest Ranger assistance with the eviction of a subject. Two Forest Rangers and a New York State Trooper evicted the subject and issued tickets for disorderly conduct and driving an unregistered vehicle. Resources were clear at 6:45 p.m. 

Town of Clifton 
St. Lawrence County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 4 at 7:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch was contacted by a hiker near the Burnt Bridge trail who was experiencing what she believed was an allergic reaction with skin irritation, but no trouble breathing. Forest Rangers Emerson and Jansen reached the 23-year-old who was determined to be experiencing an anxiety attack. Rangers calmed the hiker and walked her out of the woods. Resources were clear at 8:52 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.