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.” 

Town of Lewisboro 
Westchester County 
Water Rescue: On Aug. 30 at 5 p.m., while off duty spending the day at a nearby lake with family, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Gullen was alerted to someone calling for help near a popular cliff-jumping area. A 42-year-old jumped from approximately 50 feet and suffered a back injury upon entry into the water. Lt. Gullen jumped off his boat and swam to the injured subject. Lt. Gullen performed a spine assessment while the subject was still in the water and determined it was a high-risk injury. Lt. Gullen borrowed a paddleboard from a nearby group and stabilized the patient in a spine-safe position, then swam the subject approximately 150 yards to the nearest residence where EMS was waiting. EMS transported the subject to the hospital for successful surgery. 

Town of Keene 
Essex County 
Wildland Fire: On Aug 31 at 6:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker on Noonmark Mountain reporting sustained smoke in the sky. At 3:32 a.m., three Forest Rangers located a fire approximately four miles from the Round Pond trailhead, near Gravestone Brook on the side of Bear Den Mountain. Rangers began suppressing the one-acre fire using hand tools and determined it was caused by lightning. At 7:30 a.m., New York State Police Pilot Beck flew in with pumps and hoses. The fire was burning approximately three feet deep into the duff. By 8 p.m., Rangers contained the fire and on Sept. 4, Rangers declared the fire officially out. 

Town of Arietta 
Hamilton County 
Wildland Fire: On Sept. 1 at 8:20 p.m., hikers in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness called Forest Rangers to report a fire. Rangers Hamm and Thompson responded to Whitney Lake to investigate and spent the night on site. Ranger Nally responded in the morning to assist. On Sept. 2 at 9 p.m., Rangers contained the 0.25-acre fire.  

Town of Shandaken 
Ulster County 
Wildland Fire: On Sept. 3 at 1:45 p.m., Forest Ranger Horn responded to Rocky Mountain for a report of an unattended campfire that spread to duff near the summit. The small fire was a three-to-four-mile hike into a remote, trailless peak. The following day, Rangers Martin and Stratton joined the efforts and determined the fire was 20 feet by 20 feet. Rangers removed hazardous trees from the fire area and used hand tools to expose underground heat in preparation for nighttime precipitation. Despite the rain, the fire grew to 20 feet by 30 feet. On Sept. 8, New York State Police Aviation was called in to assist with bucket drops. Fire crews eliminated all heat and smoke. The fire is now in patrol status and Rangers are monitoring. 

Village of Manlius 
Onondaga County 
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 3 at 9:41 p.m., Onondaga County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a 74-year-old with dementia who disappeared from their backyard earlier in the evening. Rangers Chappell and Petit joined the search. New York State Police bloodhounds and a Manlius Police drone searched with negative results. At 10:14 p.m., a member of the Manlius Fire Department located the subject in a wooded area. Crews assisted the subject out of the woods. EMS transported the patient to the hospital for evaluation. 

Town of Thurman 
Warren County 
Wildland Fire: On Sept. 4 at 3 p.m., Warren County Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a structure fire that spread to nearby brush. Rangers Donegan and Kabrehl joined the Chester, Riverside, Stony Creek, Thurman, and Warrensburg fire departments on the scene. By 4:45 p.m., fire crews contained the 0.25-acre fire. 

Town of Salem 
Washington County 
Wilderness Recovery: On Sept. 5 at 8:30 p.m. the Washington County Sheriff’s Office requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a 59-year-old person missing since Sept. 2. The subject left a note indicating they were going for a walk but never returned. Six Rangers, members of the Shushan Fire Department, and a civilian volunteer joined the search efforts with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. On Sept. 6 at 12:10 p.m., a Ranger-led search crew located the subject deceased. The subject was turned over to the Washington County coroner. 

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 Keene 
Essex County 
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 7 at 8 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker lost and separated from their hiking party on Mount Marcy. Coordinates placed the hiker near the summit of Skylight Mountain. Rangers Foutch and H. Praczkajlo responded to search for the 39-year-old from Michigan. At 9:44 p.m., the other member of the hiking party called to report they were also lost, near the Van Hoevenberg trail. Rangers Holdridge and Odell responded to search for the second hiker, a 42-year-old, also from Michigan. At 11:51 p.m., they located the second hiker and made their way out to Adirondack Loj. At 2:35 a.m., Rangers located the first hiker and headed down the trail. Rangers reunited the two hikers at 11:16 a.m. 

Becoming A Forest Ranger: Those interested in future opportunities to become a Forest Ranger are encouraged to apply by Sept. 17 to take the next Civil Service exam scheduled this fall. The exam is a multiple-choice test. All candidates who are qualified to take the entry-level law enforcement exam will receive an admission notice via mail approximately two weeks prior to the date of the written test with additional details. Visit the Civil Service website to learn more.

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.