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 Newcomb
Essex County
Forest Ranger Academy: The 24th Basic School for Forest Rangers completed week 13 of training at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) Huntington Forest Campus in Newcomb. The recruits completed wildland fire training focused on wildfire pumps and intermediate fire behavior and a ‘squad boss’ course and began helicopter operations training. On Aug. 13, the Academy class and staff remembered past Assistant Director Colonel Cornell with a hike up to the summit of Goodnow Mountain at dawn and a simulated carry-out rescue. The hike provided a moment to pay tribute to Col. Cornell’s contributions to the Forest Rangers and New York State. After the morning hike, the group held a discussion on the importance of self care and looking out for fellow team members in need. If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, help is available: 988 is a free 24-hour hotline to call or text anywhere in New York. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available at 1-800-273-TALK.
Academy wildfire training
Simulated carry-out rescue
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 13 at 10:55 a.m., a hiker at Panther Gorge made an S.O.S. call seeking assistance with an ankle injury. New York State Police Aviation Pilot Engel responded. Forest Ranger O’Connor was lowered down from the helicopter by Ranger Balerno and located the 20-year-old injured subject from Montreal. Ranger O’Connor harnessed the subject who then was hoisted into the helicopter and flown to the hospital. Resources were clear at 2:30 p.m.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug 13 at 12:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker with a leg injury on Gothics Mountain. The Johns Brook Caretaker hiked in and splinted the subject’s leg. After refueling from an earlier rescue, New York State Police Aviation Pilot Engel assisted with the rescue. Forest Ranger Jansen harnessed the 67-year-old from Rochester and Ranger O’Connor hoisted them into the helicopter for transport to the hospital. Resources were clear at 4:25 p.m. Video of the hoist rescue is available to download (video, 15 MB).
Gothics hoist rescue
Town of Inlet
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 13 at 1:12 p.m., Forest Rangers and the Inlet Fire Department responded to a call for a hiker with an ankle injury halfway up the trail on Rocky Mountain. Rangers McCartney, Nahor, and Pelrah reached the 51-year-old from Brooklyn and assisted her off the mountain to a waiting ambulance. Resources were clear at 2:20 p.m.
Town of Johnsburg
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 13 at 5:20 p.m., a summer camp group hiking Crane Mountain called for help when they came across a subject who seemed disoriented and unable to continue hiking. Forest Rangers Geyer, Morehouse, and Perryman reached the 52-year-old from Amsterdam and determined she had an ankle injury and was in significant pain. Rangers helped the hiker back to the trailhead where she declined further assistance. Resources were clear at 7:05 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 13 at 6:15 p.m., two hikers called for help after losing the trail on Whiteface Mountain. Forest Ranger Praczkajlo spoke to the hikers on the phone and guided them down stream. Rangers DuChene and Praczkajlo took a boat across Lake Placid and hiked into the Sunrise Notch drainage to meet the hikers from Quebec, approximately one mile from the trail. Rangers helped the subjects back to the Lake Placid boat launch and gave them a courtesy ride to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 8:31 p.m.
Town of Schroon
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 13 at 7:40 p.m., a hiker called for help from the top of Pharaoh Mountain reporting they were unable to find the trail to Crane Pond. Forest Ranger Savarie attempted to direct the 56-year-old from Michigan over the phone. The subject could not locate the trail and was now out of food and exhausted. Rangers Quinn and Savarie reached the hiker, provided food and water, and walked him to the trailhead at Crane Pond. Resources were clear at 12:45 a.m.
Knowing how to use a map and compass is an important part of hiking. While apps can be helpful, phones lose battery power quickly in the wilderness. Know before you go - Learn more about safe hiking tips on DEC’s website.
Town of Long Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 14 at 11:45 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a woman reporting that her son had gotten his leg stuck through a bridge going to Rock Pond in the Whitney Wilderness. At 3:25 p.m., Forest Rangers Adams and Nahor located the 30-year-old from Quebec on the Burn Road trail bridge. Rangers cut the wood and freed the subject before escorting the hiker and his companion back to their campsite. Resources were clear at 4:59 p.m.
Subject stuck in bridge
Bridge cut to remove subject
Hamlet of Pine Plains
Dutchess County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 15 at 3 p.m., a couple hiking Stissing Mountain called for help after becoming lost. Forest Ranger Cowart made phone contact with the 70- and 71-year-old hikers from Ancramdale and advised the pair to stay where they were. At 4:21 p.m., Ranger Cowart reached the couple, provided water, and helped them to the parking lot. Shortly before arriving at the lot, the group were swarmed by ground nesting bees and stung multiple times. At the lot, Ranger Cowart provided hydrocortisone and monitored the hikers to ensure they did not experience an allergic reaction. The couple departed in their vehicle at 4:25 p.m.
Borough of Manhattan
New York County
Public Outreach: On Aug. 16, Forest Ranger Scott joined Smokey Bear at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to ring the opening bell as part of Smokey’s 80th birthday celebration. Video of the event is available to view.
Ranger Scott and Smokey Bear ring the Nasdaq bell
Ranger Scott and Smokey Bear ring the Nasdaq bell
Town of New Baltimore
Greene County
Wilderness Search: On Aug. 16 at 7 p.m., Greene County Sheriff’s Office requested Forest Ranger assistance with a search for a teenager who had walked away from home. Forest Rangers Dawson, Gullen, Jackson, Martin, and Peterson responded with New York State Police K9, drone units, and volunteer firefighters. At 10 a.m. the next morning, a homeowner located the subject wandering on a road approximately one mile from where he was last seen. Greene County Sheriff’s Deputies transported him back to his parents.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 17 at 2:34 p.m., Forest Rangers DuChene and Holdridge responded to a call for a hiker with a lower leg injury on Gothics Mountain. Rangers reached the 27-year-old from Vermont and wrapped her ankle. The Rangers provided hiking poles and brought crutches to help the subject walk three miles down the steep and rocky terrain to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 11 p.m.
Lower leg injury on Gothics Mountain
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m., two hikers called for assistance finding the path back down Seward Mountain. The hikers didn’t have a compass or headlamps. Forest Rangers Jansen and Nahor reached the two hikers in their forties from Horseheads and helped them to the Ward Brook lean-to. Resources were clear at 2:14 a.m.
Check out Hike Smart NY for lists of essential hiking gear and tips to stay safe on the trails.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 17 at 7:26 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the owner of a German shepherd that was unable to continue walking down the Algonquin trail. While Forest Rangers are not required to rescue dogs, Rangers responded to the call for help. Rangers had a special dog carrier they let the owner use so they could make it back to the Adirondak Loj trailhead. Resources were clear at 3:30 a.m. Video of the owner walking out with his dog is available (video, 565 KB) to download.
When planning a hike with a dog, consider hikes that match the dog’s ability. Not every dog is suited for or fit enough to go on every hike. If hikers are unable to carry the dog for the full hike, they may want to reconsider bringing the dog.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 17 at 8:45 p.m., Essex County received a 911 text from two hikers on Sawteeth Mountain. The 54-year-old from Plattsburgh was vomiting, weak, and having trouble walking. Forest Rangers Kabrehl and Quinn reached the two hikers and helped them back to the AMR parking area. Resources were clear at 12:25 a.m.
Town of Schroon
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 18 at 3:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Savarie responded to Hoffman Notch Wilderness for a call about two lost hikers and their dog. Ranger Savarie located the group from New Hampshire and escorted them back to the trail and their vehicle. Resources were clear at 7:30 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 18 at 6:04 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from lost hikers on the Mount Van Hoevenberg Porter loop after descending Porter Mountain. Forest Rangers attempted to talk the group out over the phone without success. Rangers O’Connor and Praczkajlo located the hikers, both in their twenties, from Niagara Falls and helped them back to the Cascade trailhead. Resources were clear at 7:50 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.
