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.”
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 29 at 6:56 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a 14-year-old from Camp Chingachgook who lost consciousness near the Elk Pass area of Nippletop Mountain. Forest Ranger Quinn spoke to a camp counselor on the phone and advised the counselor to move the teenager from Needham to the shade and aggressively cool off the subject with water. New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation was approved. NYSP Pilot Engel flew Rangers Lewis and O’Dell to a swamp near the campers. Rangers carried the 14-year-old through the swamp, which at some points was waist deep water and mud, to the helicopter. Pilot Engel flew the patient to an ambulance staged at Marcy Field. Ranger Quinn suggested the remaining campers spend the night and hike out in the morning because they were fatigued from a full day of hiking and did not have enough headlamps. The group later safely returned to camp. Resources were clear at 8:43 p.m.
Ranger Lewis carries hiker to helicopter
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 29 at 7:51 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to the Leach Trail at Adirondack Mountain Reserve for a 19-year-old experiencing fatigue and cramping. Rangers reached the subject and assisted the hiker to their vehicle in the Reserve parking lot. The patient declined to seek further medical attention on their own. Resources were clear at 9:53 p.m.
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 2 at 3:50 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a radio transmission from the Algonquin Summit Steward about a hiker suffering from dehydration and having difficulty walking. The 28-year-old from Owego was approximately 0.25 miles above the Wright-Algonquin intersection and did not have any food. The Summit Steward rehydrated the subject while Forest Rangers responded. At 5:17 p.m., Ranger H. Praczkajlo made contact with the hiker as they slowly made their way down. At 11:34 p.m., the subject began experiencing seizure activity at the Whale’s Tail Ski Trail junction. Five Rangers provided medical care and carried out the subject the last few hundred feet to a UTV. Rangers turned over the subject to Lake Placid EMS, who transported the patient to the hospital.
Town of Elizabethtown
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 3 at 3 p.m., Essex County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker who had fallen into the first pool at Split Rock Falls. The 50-year-old from Peru, New York, suffered head and back injuries. Forest Rangers Bode, Lewis, and Quinn worked with New York State Police and the Keene and North Hudson Fire Departments to complete a high-angle rope rescue. At 5 p.m., rescuers turned over care of the hiker to Life Net, which flew the patient to the hospital.
Split Rock Falls rescue
Life Net helicopter responds
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.
