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 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 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.” 

Town of Bath 
Steuben County 
Training: On July 13 and 17, Forest Rangers Richer and Staples led the Basic Wildland Fire Suppression course for 25 volunteer firefighters from Bath, Hammondsport, Hornsby, and Painted Post Fire Departments. Rangers taught firefighters about tactics for wildland fire suppression and the tools used for combating wildland fires.

Village of Middleburgh 
Schoharie County 
Water Recovery: On July 14 at 11:32 a.m., Forest Ranger France responded to a call for a missing person along the Schoharie Creek. The subject had been missing since the previous afternoon. Ranger France, the New York State Police (NYSP) Dive Team, New York State Office of Fire Prevention, Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office, Schoharie County Search and Rescue, DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers, and the Middleburgh and Schoharie Fire Departments joined in the search efforts. At 5:15 p.m., a Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office drone detected activity downstream approximately 500 yards from the NYSP Dive Team. At 5:35 p.m., the NYSP Dive Team located the 39-year-old subject deceased. The Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation. 

Town of Lake Pleasant 
Hamilton County 
Medical Emergency: On July 15 at 1 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of a camper experiencing a medical issue, possibly atrial fibrillation. Forest Rangers Nally and Savarie responded to the Indian Lake Islands campground boat launch where they were met by Speculator EMS and campground staff. Rangers retrieved the 71-year-old from Ohio and transported them to the boat launch. Speculator EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6 a.m. 

Town of Hunter 
Greene County 
Dog Rescue: On July 16 at 11:38 a.m., Greene County requested Forest Ranger assistance with a dog that had fallen into a crevice on the Escarpment Trail. Rangers Welch and Dawson set up a rope and pully system. Ranger Dawson rappelled into the crevice. Ranger Welch and an off-duty Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy helped pull the one-and-a-half-year-old Australian shepherd to safety. Learn more from the dog’s owner on DEC’s YouTube page. 

Town of Inlet 
Hamilton County 
Wilderness Search: On July 16 at 2 p.m., Herkimer County transferred a call to Ray Brook Dispatch from three hikers off trail on Black Bear Mountain. The 44-year-old and two teenagers from Pennsylvania followed blue paint on trees down the summit. Forest Rangers Miller and Nahor responded to the coordinates from the call, found the three subjects in good spirits, and assisted them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 4:30 p.m.  

It is illegal to add paint to a trail. Responsible parties may face misdemeanor-level charges if caught. 

Village of Saranac Lake 
Franklin County 
Public Outreach: On July 17, Forest Rangers Adams, Curcio, and Ordway participated in the Saranac Lake Police Department’s youth academy. Rangers spoke to the 13 to 17-year-olds about the Forest Ranger job. They also demonstrated splinting skills and showed participants how to use backpack carriers for a mock search and rescue. 

Town of Brighton 
Franklin County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 17 at 1:25 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about an elderly hiker who had fallen down an embankment. The 92-year-old from Saranac Lake was unable to walk on their own. Forest Rangers Adams, and H. Praczkajlo, Paul Smiths Gabriels, and Saranac Lake Fire Departments reached the subject and assisted them down to the Black Pond trailhead. Saranac Lake Rescue transported the hiker to the hospital. Resources were clear at 2:10 p.m. 

Town of Newcomb 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 17 at 5:40 p.m., Forest Rangers Ordway, Quinones, and Sabo responded to a call for an unprepared, lost hiker near Bradley Pond. Rangers removed blown-down trees to reach the 73-year-old. At 10:39 p.m., Rangers reached the hiker, rewarmed them, and provided food and drink. Once the hiker was feeling better, Rangers assisted them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 5:25 a.m. 

DEC encourages hikers to bring plenty of food and water for their hike in case the hike lasts longer than expected. Proper preparation for a hike can reduce the risk of dehydration. 

Town of Middlesex 
Yates County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 18 at 8:30 a.m., Yates County 911 contacted Forest Ranger Dormer about an injured hiker at Clark’s Gully. The patient called 911 but dispatchers had difficulty understanding the caller, likely due to a head injury sustained overnight. At 9:50 a.m., Ranger Dormer reached the patient and worked with the Ontario County and Yates County ropes teams on a low-angle rope rescue. At 11:56 a.m., rescuers made it out of the gully with the hiker, who was then transported to Canandaigua Emergency Ambulance to a waiting Mercy flight. Middlesex and Naples Fire Departments, Canandaigua Advanced Life Support, and the Yates County Sheriff all assisted in the rescue.

Town of Middletown 
Delaware County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 18 at 4:32 p.m., Forest Rangers Commerford and Seeley responded to a call for an injured hiker on the Huckleberry Loop approximately two miles from the Hill Road trailhead in the Dry Brook Ridge Wild Forest. The 69-year-old from White Plains had slipped on a wet rock and suffered an upper leg injury. With the assistance of trekking poles, the hiker continued to walk down the loop. At 6:24 p.m., Ranger Seeley reached the subject and conducted a medical assessment. At 6:35 p.m., Ranger Commerford, Margaretville Fire, and Margaretville EMS reached Ranger Seeley and the subject. Rescuers used a wheeled litter to carry the subject to a Margaretville Fire UTV. At 8:40 p.m. for eventual transport to an area hospital.

City of Dunkirk 
Chautauqua County 
Public Outreach: On July 19, Forest Rangers Hale and Skudlarek spent time with DEC program staff at the Chautauqua County Fair. Rangers discussed their duties and fire prevention tips.

Town of Ticonderoga 
Essex County 
Wilderness Recovery: On July 20, Ray Brook Dispatch received a morning phone call from New York State Police (NYSP) requesting Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a nine-year-old girl allegedly abducted from a rest area near exit 22 of the Northway. Approximately 30 Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) joined the search. At 2 p.m., the continued investigation led searchers to a pond. A Ranger-led team of ECOs found the missing child deceased. NYSP determined there was no abduction and charged the father with 2^nd degree murder. 

Hamlet of Pine Bush 
Ulster County 
Wilderness Search: On July 20 at 2:50 p.m., Ulster County Dispatch contacted Forest Ranger Rusher about two parents and their six children dehydrated and potentially lost in the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest. Ranger Rusher joined New York State Police, Ulster County Fire Coordinator, and Burlingham, Cragsmoor, Ellenville, and Walker Valley Fire Departments in the search. A 14-year-old member of the party made it to the Cox Road parking lot with three siblings. Then the mother and another child made it out. The father and the sixth child were lost on the other side of the mountain. At 4:10 p.m., Rangers Rusher and Schweider reached the final two hikers. An Ellenville medic determined the father should be brought to the hospital due to lethargy and low blood sugar and brought them to the hospital. Resources were clear at 5 p.m.

Town of Keene 
Essex County 
Wilderness Search: On June 20 at 5:03 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the brother of a hiker who had last been heard from the night before on the summit of Mount Marcy. Forest Rangers searched into the overnight with negative results. The following morning at 6:35 a.m., an Assistant Forest Ranger Vaughn located the 22-year-old from Pennsylvania alive and well in a lean-to.

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.