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.
As of July 1, Rangers have conducted 139 search and rescue missions in 2025, extinguished 82 wildfires covering nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires that rejuvenated 1,514 acres of land to date. In 2024, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 122 wildfires covering nearly 6,500 acres, participated in 60 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,155 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,200 tickets and arrests.
“DEC’s Forest Rangers bravely protect State-owned and managed lands, as well as the people who use them. Whether conducting a search and rescue call or responding to a wildfire, Rangers are always ready when emergencies strike,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “This is even more critical with a temporary statewide burn ban in effect through Oct. 15 and the ongoing drought warnings and watches. Every day and in all conditions, Forest Rangers demonstrate their expertise and leadership in protecting the public and State lands, serving as role models for the next generation of environmental stewards. DEC encourages interested New Yorkers to visit DEC’s website to learn how to become the next New York State Forest Ranger.”
Town of Hartwick
Otsego County
Wildland Fire: On Sept. 30 at 2:45 p.m., a New York State Department of Transportation employee contacted Forest Ranger Laymon about seeing smoke in a wooded area. Ranger Laymon located the 0.25-acre fire of burning leaf litter. By 4:15 p.m., Ranger Laymon controlled the fire and the following day, the fire was declared out.
Hartwick fire
Town of Tuxedo
Orange County
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 1 at 12:40 p.m., New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Park Ranger Lieutenant Cahill called to report a 0.7-acre fire on federal land adjacent to Sterling Forest. Forest Rangers Franke and Russo responded with Park Rangers, Park Police, the Orange County Emergency Coordinator, and the Monroe, Sloatsburg, and Tuxedo Fire Departments. After several hours of working on the fire, Rangers Horn and Sweeney responded with a fire trailer and inflatable Ranger boat. At 11:20 p.m., fire crews contained the fire. As of Oct. 6, the fire remains 85% controlled with three hot spots remaining in the interior.
Tuxedo fire
Tuxedo fire
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 1 at 4 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for a hiker with an unstable ankle injury on the Cascade Mountain trail. Four Forest Rangers responded. At 6:27 p.m., Ranger Rooney located the 32-year-old from Long Island, assessed the injury, and splinted the hiker’s ankle. Shortly after starting back down the trail, the hiker tripped on a rock and couldn’t continue. New York State Police (NYSP) Pilot Engel and Ranger Curcio performed a successful hoist rescue and transferred the patient to Lake Placid EMS for transportation to the hospital. Resources were clear at 7:10 p.m.
Cascade Mountain hiker
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 1 at 4 p.m., Forest Ranger Sabo and Newcomb Fire Department responded to a ground fire on Woody’s Road. The 0.2-acre fire was threatening a seasonal camp. Fire crews protected the camp and contained the fire. After finding hotspots for the next few days, on Oct. 5, Ranger Brand declared the fire out.
Newcomb fire
Newcomb fire
Town of Shandaken
Ulster County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 2 at 11:45 a.m., Ulster County 911 received a call from a hiking party reporting one hiker persistently vomiting at the summit of Wittenberg Mountain. Four Rangers and EMS met the 17-year-old on the trail, assessed the hiker’s condition, provided nourishment, and escorted them one mile to the trailhead. The hiker refused further medical treatment. Resources were clear at 3 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 2 at 6 p.m., Forest Rangers Martin and Ordway responded to a call for a hiker with a leg injury approximately 0.75 miles from the trailhead on Haystack Mountain. The 77-year-old was with another hiker trying to help get back to the trailhead, but the 77-year-old kept falling. Rangers assisted the hiker back to the trailhead and then to the hospital. Resources were clear at 8:25 p.m.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 2 at 8:55 p.m., a hiker texted 911 to request assistance due to exhaustion. The 32-year-old from Allegany was out of water and falling frequently due to dizziness. At 11:15 p.m., the hiker made it to the Johns Brook outpost where they waited for Forest Rangers Corey and Rooney. Rangers provided basic first aid and nourishment and brought them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 12:45 a.m.
Towns of Colonie and Guilderland
Albany County
Prescribed Burns: On Oct. 2 and 3, Forest Rangers Commerford, Dempf, Jackson, and Laymon, DEC staff from the Office of Emergency Management and Division of Lands and Forests, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted prescribed burns at the Albany Pine Bush.
Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. These burns are regulated by law and regulation and require technical expertise to safely conduct. 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 fuel to reduce the potential for wildfires that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. DEC carefully implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals and are legal even during a burn ban.
Prescribed burn at Albany Pine Bush
Prescribed burn at Albany Pine Bush
Town of Windham
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 3 at 4 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call reporting a hiker with severe cramping who could not continue down from the summit of Black Dome. Forest Rangers Fox and Peterson hiked to the subject and provided electrolytes and food. After some rest and rehydration, the 29-year-old from New Jersey was able to walk again. Rangers assisted the subject to Big Hollow Road trailhead. Resources were clear at 9 p.m.
Black Dome rescue
Town of Tully
Onondaga County
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 3, at 7:03 p.m., Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Goonan contacted Forest Ranger Chappell about a fire off of Hollenbeck Road on private property. Ranger Chappell arrived to find several piles of brush burning on the farm that escaped containment. Rangers and local fire departments contained the fire and declared it out two days later. Rangers ticketed the farm’s owner for leaving a fire unattended.
Tully fire
Tully fire
Tully fire
Town of Pleasant Valley
Dutchess County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 4 at 10 a.m., Dutchess County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker vomiting excessively from alcohol consumption at Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Area. Ranger Russo responded with Pleasant Valley Fire and EMS. They located the subject at a campsite with three other individuals and transported the patient to an ambulance in the parking area. Resources were clear at 12 p.m.
Village of Wappingers Falls
Dutchess County
Public Outreach: On Oct. 4, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Ashida and Ranger Russo attended the DEC’s Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center Harvest Festival. Rangers talked to visitors about the Forest Ranger job and joined Smokey Bear to explain how to prevent forest fires, especially during dry conditions.
Stony Kill Farm Harvest Fest
Ranger Russo and Smokey Bear at Stony Kill Farm Harvest Fest
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Public Outreach: On Oct. 4, Forest Rangers participated in Newcomb’s third annual fall harvest picnic and touch-a-truck event. Rangers had a fire truck and standard Ranger truck for children to see. NYSP Aviation also attended and had a helicopter. Rangers and NYSP often work together on search and rescues and wildland fires.
Newcomb fall harvest
Newcomb fall harvest
Village of Hancock
Delaware County
Wilderness Search: On Oct. 4 at 7:50 p.m. Delaware County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing 90-year-old with early signs of dementia. The subject was last seen at 3 p.m. Rangers joined search crews from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Delaware County Tech Team, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the Cooks Falls, Downsville, East Branch, Hancock, Roscoe Rockland, and Trout Creek Fire Departments. At 9 a.m. a search group found the subject in a ravine on Dry Brook Ridge Road. The subject was conscious and alert but dehydrated.
Delaware County search
Town of Clifton
St. Lawrence County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of a lost hiker off the Cranberry 50 trail. Rangers Benzel and Shea responded to the provided coordinates off of Dead Creek trail. The hiker did not have a light source. At 12:05 a.m., Rangers located the 51-year-old from Feura Bush in good health and assisted them back to their vehicle.
Rangers suggest bringing the 10 Hiking Essentials when venturing into the wilderness. While a phone can be helpful for navigation and light, batteries die quickly, so a headlamp and map are suggested.
Hamlet of Highland
Ulster County
Suicide Prevention: On Oct. 5, Forest Rangers were among hundreds of people who participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk at the Walkway Over the Hudson, spreading awareness about suicide prevention. Rangers walked in memory of Ranger Captain Kostoss and Colonel Cornell. The walk helps bring awareness to mental health and the struggles first responders face. 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. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
Out of the Darkness Walk
Volunteer Firefighter Hepperle, Ranger Fox, Ranger Lt. Ashida, Ranger Russo, and Ranger Jackson at the Out of the Darkness Walk
Town of East Fishkill
Dutchess County
Public Outreach: On Oct. 5 Forest Ranger Lieutenant Ashida and Ranger Russo attended the East Fishkill Fire Department open house. Rangers joined Smokey Bear to spread the message about fire safety and prevention in the woods.
Smokey Bear and Ranger Russo at East Fishkill Fire Department
Town of Windham
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 5 at 1:15 p.m., Forest Rangers Commerford, Fox, and Peterson responded to a call for a hiker with an ankle injury on the Escarpment Trail. An off-duty EMT who was hiking in the area provided medical care before Rangers arrived. At 3:45 p.m. Rangers met the 83-year-old from Massachusetts at the Elm Ridge lean-to and provided first aid. Hensonville Fire Department transported the patient from the lean-to to the Peck Road trailhead where the hiker was checked out by Windham Ambulance. Resources were clear at 4:45 p.m.
Town of Arieta
Hamilton County
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 5 at 4:45 p.m., two civilians contacted Ray Brook Dispatch about a wildland fire in the Piseco Lake area. One of the civilians, a DEC employee, flew a drone to get an exact location of the fire. Ten Rangers, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, Speculator EMS, and the Lake Pleasant, Piseco, and Specular Fire Departments responded to the 37-acre fire. Fire crews are still working to contain the fire.
Piseco Lake fire
Piseco Lake fire
Piseco Lake fire
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.
