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.
“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 burning out of control, Rangers are always ready when emergencies strike,” DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “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.”
Albany, St. Lawrence, and Suffolk Counties
Prescribed Burns: 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 and responsibly implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals. The following burns were recently conducted:
On May 12, Forest Rangers and DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, and Marine Resources joined Brookhaven National Lab and Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission to conduct a 12-acre prescribed burn in Suffolk County on Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest in Riverhead;
On May 12, Forest Rangers and additional DEC and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted a prescribed burn on 33 acres of the Albany Pine Bush in Albany County; and
On May 15, Forest Rangers, additional DEC staff, and members of SUNY ESF conducted a 0.6-acre prescribed burn in St. Lawrence County at SUNY ESF’s Ranger School in Wanakena.
Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (Albany County)
Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (Albany County)
Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn crew (Albany County)
Otis Pike Pine Barrens prescribed burn (Suffolk County)
Town of New Windsor
Orange County
Hunting Related Shooting Incident: On May 13 at 11:10 a.m., Forest Ranger Jahn responded to a call about a turkey hunter who was shot in the face with birdshot in Stewart State Forest. The victim was injured but able to call 911. With New York State Police leading the investigation, eight Forest Rangers worked with DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and multiple police departments to secure the scene. At 12 p.m., the wounded hunter was transported by Medivac to Westchester Medical Center. Thanks to the collaboration of all involved, a suspect was identified and taken into State Police custody. Anyone with information is asked to call New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations in Montgomery at 845-344-5300.
Town of Berlin
Rensselaer County
Wilderness Search: On May 14 at 9:15 a.m., the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for a 79-year-old with dementia who had been last seen leaving his home at 2:30 a.m. Rangers were among 30 searchers working with New York State Police, Rensselaer County Search and Rescue, Rensselaer County Drone Team, Rensselaer County Bureau of Public Safety, New York State Park Police, Berlin Fire Department, and Taconic Valley Ambulance. Responding entities conducted linear searches along roadways, trails, and drainages. At 3:15 p.m., Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Deputies found the subject walking inside the search area. The Deputies, who are certified EMTs, provided medical aid.
Town of Shawangunk
Ulster County
Wilderness Recovery: On May 15 at 7 a.m., New York University (NYU) Campus Safety contacted Ray Brook Dispatch for assistance with a missing student. The 20-year-old had last been seen on May 12. His roommate indicated the student was upset when he left. The following day, the subject sent a picture of himself hiking on the Shawangunk Ridge. Rangers were joined by New York State Police (NYSP) and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. By 1:45 p.m., NYSP was using K9s, drones, and a helicopter. At 2:45 p.m., crews located the subject deceased below the cliff line of Gertrude’s Nose trail. Rangers and Parks staff set up a high angle rope recovery to raise the subject up the 90-foot cliff. Once at the top of the cliff, crews carried the subject approximately one mile out of the woods where they met the Ulster County Medical Examiner. Resources were clear at 8:30 p.m.
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.
Shawangunk recovery
Town of Schroon Lake
Essex County
Public Outreach: On May 16, Forest Rangers Quinn and Savarie participated in the annual ‘Touch a Truck’ event. Nearly 200 students from Schroon Lake Central School District attended the event and learned about Rangers, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, New York State Police, Fire, and EMS. Rangers brought a truck and airboat for children to explore.
Airboat at Schroon Lake ‘Touch a Truck'
Hamlet of Staatsburgh
Dutchess County
Training: On May 15, Forest Rangers, DEC Foresters, and members of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation conducted the last portion of wildland fire training for 19 participants. Instructors taught participants how to prepare for an extended fire assignment and demonstrated proper use of ignition devices, hose lays, tools to dig a fire line, and fire shelter deployment.
Wildland fire training
Wildland fire training – Forest Rangers and other DEC staff digging a fire line
Town of Morehouse
Hamilton County
Wilderness Search: On May 17, during DEC’s Trek for Trout event, one of the participants failed to meet his planned 3 p.m. return time. Forest Rangers found the subject’s vehicle at the trailhead and Ranger Nally began searching along the planned route. Ranger Thompson searched in drainage to the northeast of Bochen Lake that feeds Feullard Vly. At 7:30 p.m., Ranger Nally established voice contact with the subject near Feullard Vly. The 50-year-old from Barneveld was dehydrated and hungry but not injured. Ranger Nally guided him out and drove him to his vehicle. Resources were clear at 9:30 p.m.
The Trek for Trout event supports brook trout conservation. DEC worked with Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Trout Power, Native Fish Coalition, Paul Smith’s College, and SUNY ESF to post signs at hundreds of brook trout ponds as part of a citizen science initiative to collect angler data and protect these fisheries. Forest Rangers were stationed at each hub to provided assistance and directions to participants.
Town of Lyonsdale
Lewis County
Law Enforcement: On May 17 at 9:21 p.m., Forest Rangers received a report about a possible underage drinking party at Sand Flats State Forest. Rangers Cooley and Maxwell patrolled the area and discovered 10 individuals gathering. By 11:20 p.m., the number of individuals increased to 30 and Rangers learned that the party details had been shared on social media. A New York State Police unit and two additional Forest Rangers responded. Rangers kept control of the scene by speaking with each group of visitors and posting up at the main entrance. Rangers interviewed 20 individuals and issued 13 violations for possession of alcohol by someone under the age of 21 and depositing rubbish on State land. The group was planning to burn tires and pallets. Partygoers cleaned up the area and Rangers conducted field sobriety tests to ensure everyone was safe to drive home.
Sand Flats fire plan thwarted
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.
