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.    

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 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.” 

Hamlet of Mahopac 
Putnam County 
Public Outreach: On July 14, Forest Ranger Russo attended the Carmel Police youth academy at Mahopac High School. Ranger Russo spoke to students about the job of a Forest Ranger and the wide range of incidents where Rangers and DEC staff respond. Ranger Russo also showed students the gear Rangers carry in their patrol vehicles. 

Town of Beekman 
Dutchess County 
Wilderness Recovery: On July 22 at 12:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office requesting Forest Ranger assistance for a missing despondent subject. Rangers Pries and Rusher responded and learned the subject’s vehicle was in the north parking lot of Depot Hill Multiple Use Area. Searchers checked on the Morgan Stewart shelter on the Appalachian trail and interviewed campers in case they saw the missing 44-year-old from Poughquag. At 6:35 a.m., Ranger Rusher located the subject deceased. Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigator Eyler, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Zullo, Rangers Pries, Russo, and Lt. Ashida carried out the subject to the Medical Examiner. 

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. 

Town of North Elba 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 22 at 8:17 p.m., the Marcy Dam Caretaker called Ray Brook Dispatch about a hiker with a knee injury approximately a tenth of a mile from the outpost. At 9:47 p.m., Forest Ranger H. Praczkajlo reached the 71-year-old from Alplaus, provided first aid, and helped them back to Adirondak Loj. 

Town of Newcomb 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 22 at 8:37 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received an SOS call from Garmin for a hiker with intermittent fainting spells on the Calamity Brook trail. Two hikers with the 76-year-old also called for help and said they had been hiking since 6:30 a.m., and the hiker was suffering from dehydration and low blood sugar. At 11:50 p.m., four Forest Rangers and an Essex County Paramedic reached the subject and provided medical care and rehydration. The rescuers stayed with the subject overnight at the Herbert Brook lean-to. At 8:30 a.m., New York State Police Pilot Engel flew the patient to the hospital. Video of the helicopter rescue is available to download. 

Town of Keene 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 23 at 12:34 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with an unstable ankle injury on Haystack Mountain. New York State Policed (NYSP) Aviation was approved. Forest Ranger Curcio lowered Ranger Ordway to tend to the patient. At 2:25 p.m., Ranger Ordway harnessed the 25-year-old from New Jersey and Ranger Curcio hoisted the pair into the helicopter. NYSP Pilot Engel flew the patient to the hospital. Video of the hoist rescue is available for download. 

Town of Fishkill 
Dutchess County 
Training: On July 23, Forest Rangers Pries and Russo taught the Basic Wildland Search Skills course to 45 members of the Fishkill and Greenhaven Correctional Facilities’ Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Rangers discussed different search techniques and preparedness requirements for a full day afield. For the field portion of the training, the 45 students learned how to move through the wildland environment looking for clues near abandoned structures in the woods. 

Town of Denning 
Ulster County 
Wilderness Search: On July 24 at 3:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Jeffery encountered a subject at the Biscuit Brook trailhead in the Slide Mountain Wilderness who expressed plans to harm themselves. While attempting to interview the subject, the 27-year-old from Pennsylvania ran into the woods. Ranger Jeffery called for backup and a search ensued. Ranger Jeffery was joined by New York State Police, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and Rangers Schweider, Stratton, and Sweeney. NYSP took over the investigation while Rangers coordinated the search efforts. With teams doing roving patrols on the roadway, and searchers on the ground conducting linear searches, they were unable to locate the subject. At 7 p.m., NYSP started using a K9 unit and then a drone. At 9:20 p.m. Forest Ranger Captain Gierloff located the subject in good physical health on Frost Valley Road. 

Town of Warwarsing 
Ulster County 
Wilderness Rescue: On July 25 at 4:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Rusher responded to a call for a lost and injured hiker in the Shawangunk State Forest. The 44-year-old from New Paltz had started at the Cox Road trailhead at 1:45 p.m. and planned to hike the long path on the ridge and loop back. The hiker was barefoot and did not bring any food or water despite temperatures reaching 85 degrees. After falling a couple of times and getting lost, the subject called for help. Ranger Rusher reached the hiker by cell phone and obtained a location before their battery died. Ranger Rusher and the Cragsmoor Fire Department provided nourishment and assisted the hiker back to the trailhead. Ellenville EMS determined the hiker was dehydrated and had elevated blood pressure, but the patient declined further medical care. Resources were clear at 5:30 p.m. 

Town of AuSable 
Clinton County 
Wildland Fire: On July 24 at 5:33 p.m., five Forest Rangers and the Keeseville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire caused by a downed power line. The fire spread to 5.5 acres, but no structures were at risk. 

Town of Warrensburg 
Warren County 
Public Outreach: On July 25, Forest Rangers attended Adventure Week at DEC’s Pack Forest Environmental Education Camp. During their presentation, Rangers discussed their various job duties and explained how campers can be more prepared in the woods. Campers participated in “Ranger Challenges” such as using throw bags to rescue swimmers. Forest Rangers attend weekly presentations at Pack Forest throughout the summer to help expose campers to the job and teach camping safety. 

Village of Cooperstown 
Otsego County 
Hall of Fame Patrol: On July 25, 26, and 27, Forest Rangers France and Laymon assisted the Village of Cooperstown Police Department with the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction weekend. Along with the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, Otsego County Office of Emergency Services, and New York State Police, Rangers assisted with general patrols throughout the village and provided security during the hall of fame parade and induction ceremony. Rangers assisted Cooperstown EMS with a subject who became sick and worked on a search for a child who separated from their family during the parade. 

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.