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 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.
“From wildfires, to floods, to search and rescue operations, whenever emergencies strike, DEC’s Forest Rangers are always the first to jump into action,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “I commend our Rangers for their heroic work to keep New Yorkers and our visitors safe in some of the most adverse conditions in the world, and for leading the state’s response to emergency situations. Their efforts to inspire the next generation of safe and responsible outdoor enthusiasts are instrumental in DEC’s efforts to support the outdoor recreation economy, and I encourage all New Yorkers interested in joining our ranks to visit DEC’s website to learn how to become the next New York State Forest Ranger and be part of their historic legacy of protecting New York’s forests.”
Town of Argyle
Washington County
Fire: On Feb. 10 at 10 p.m., Forest Ranger Carabetta responded to a request from Washington County to assist with a fire on Coach Road. The fire was approximately 40 feet in diameter and 15 feet high and was within 200 feet of a mobile home park. Ranger Carabetta worked with the Argyle Fire Department to put out the fire within an hour. Ranger Carabetta ticketed the person who started the fire with leaving a fire unattended. The fire remains in patrol status.
Argyle Fire
Town of Brookhaven
Suffolk County
Traffic Stop: On Feb. 13 at 4:20 p.m., Forest Ranger Hicks responded to a report of a drunken driver northbound on CR-21. Ranger Hicks observed the driver operating erratically before he stopped the car and discovered the driver did not possess a valid license, was on probation, and appeared to be under the influence. Suffolk County Police searched the vehicle and discovered controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. Police charged him with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Resources were clear at 5 p.m.
Town of Fulton
Schoharie County
Motor Vehicle Accident: On Feb. 14 at 11:55 a.m., Forest Ranger France responded to a motor vehicle accident on State Route 30. The pickup truck flipped off a bridge and landed in a small creek. One occupant got out on their own. Ranger France and a New York State Police (NYSP) Trooper helped Schoharie County Paramedics secure the first patient on a backboard and carried her up to an ambulance. Middleburgh Fire Department and Schoharie County Paramedics extricated the second occupant, secured him on a backboard, and carried him to a second ambulance. Ranger France, Middleburgh Fire, and NYSP assisted with traffic control and removing the truck from the creek. Resources were clear at 1:32 p.m.
Motor vehicle accident in Fulton
Town of Santa Clara
Franklin County
Snowmobile Accident: On Feb. 14 at 1:26 p.m., Forest Rangers Corey and Ordway responded to a call for a snowmobile accident at Little Rainbow Pond on the rail trail. At 1:41 p.m., Rangers arrived at the scene and brought a Saranac Lake Paramedic to the patient. The 38-year-old snowmobiler from Mooers indicated she hit a large depression in the trail and lost control, causing the snowmobile to roll and land on top of her. The patient reported an unstable ankle injury and shoulder pain. Rescuers secured the subject in a rescue sled and transported her to an awaiting ambulance. Resources were clear at 3 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 15 at 11:40 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker stating her partner was having a medical emergency while descending Phelps Mountain. Forest Rangers Bowler, Lewis, Martin, and Praczkajlo responded. Due to the location and the patient’s condition, at 12:17 p.m. New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation responded to assist Rangers with a hoist rescue. NYSP Pilot Engel and Ranger O’Connor lowered Ranger Adams to the subject. Ranger Adams harnessed the 54-year-old from Quebec and at 2:10 p.m., the patient was hoisted into the helicopter and transported to Adirondack Medical Center. Rangers assisted the rest of the hiking party back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 3:50 p.m.
Phelps Mountain hoist rescue
City of Rochester
Monroe County
Training: On Feb.15, Forest Rangers Chappell, Cordell, and Roberts instructed a ground school aviation refresher course for Rangers from regions eight and nine. They discussed all safety aspects of working with aviation and reviewed all rescue devices available with the helicopter.
Aviation training
Town of Denning
Ulster County
Wilderness Search: On Feb. 16 at 2:15 p.m., Forest Ranger Martin responded to a radio call for a no-voice 911 call from Red Hill Road. Ranger Martin checked the access point for Red Hill fire tower and located a car parked on Denning Road. Ranger Schweider hiked up the Old Dinch Road access point while Ranger Martin hiked up from Denning Road. At 3 p.m., Ranger Martin located the hikers from New York City returning to the parking area on the blue trail. They had called 911 because they were concerned about the weather and getting frostbite since they were not wearing proper winter gear. When the 911 call didn’t go through, they continued hiking down to their car.
DEC reminds hikers to check weather forecasts before heading out and dress appropriately for the weather.
Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 17 at 5:50 p.m., Greene County called Ray Brook Dispatch requesting Forest Ranger assistance with two subjects stuck on the ice at lower falls of Kaaterskill Falls. At 6:40 p.m., Rangers Commerford, Fox, and Peterson reached the two hikers. This was the first time the two graduate students ever hiked there. They didn’t have a light source, proper winter gear, or traction devices for their boots. Rangers provided traction devices and head lamps and educated them on the hiking essentials (PDF) while walking them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 7:30 p.m.
Kaaterskill Falls rescue
Kaaterskill Falls rescue
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.
