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 Morehouse 
Hamilton County 
Wildland Fire: On Sept. 15 at 4:16 p.m., a member of the public contacted Forest Ranger Caswell about a fire near Bear Lake in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness. Due to the remoteness of the fire, Forest Ranger Scott went in with hand tools and stayed overnight. The following morning, New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation flew in Rangers Miller, Nahor, and Thompson to the scene. They worked to control the fire and stayed overnight. On Sept. 17, Rangers contained the fire and NYSP Aviation flew the crew out of the fire area by 3:30 p.m. The fire was declared out on Sept. 22.

Town Of Canadice 
Ontario County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept 17 at 2:20 p.m., Forest Ranger Dormer responded to a call from Ontario County for a hiker who fell and injured their hip on Rob’s Trail. Hemlock, Honeoye, and Livonia Fire Departments also responded. Rescuers used a wheeled litter to get the 69-year-old from Avon down the trail to a City of Rochester Water Bureau pontoon boat on Hemlock Lake. The boat took the patient to the North Hemlock boat launch, where they were met by an ambulance. Resources were clear at 5:30 p.m. 

Town of Brunswick 
Rensselaer County 
Training: On Sept. 18, Forest Ranger Jackson participated in training led by the Rensselaer County Drone Team for using drones in search and rescue situations. They used an area where people normally play paintball to stage a search scenario where the drone operators communicated with ground forces to search different areas and outbuildings. The Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department and Troy Police also participated. 

Town of Keene 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 20 at 4:08 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers who were lost and unable to move on the south side of Bear Den Mountain. They were attempting to hike/bushwhack Dial Mountain via Gravestone Brook. The hikers had no experience bushwhacking and were hiking without a map, compass, headlamp, or extra layers. They also had not planned the return to their car after hiking to the summit. They called dispatch after getting stuck in thick spruce. At 7:40 p.m., Forest Ranger Foutch hiked up the Leech Trail and bushwhacked to the hikers. Ranger Foutch provided the 32-year-old from Syracuse and 36-year-old from Irondequoit with food, water, and headlamps, and assisted them to the Round Pond trailhead. Resources were clear at 10:15 p.m. 

Rangers suggest planning for your hike before heading out, including finding out how long the hike could take, but to also pack enough that you can survive the night in case things don’t go as planned. DEC’s website has information about the 10 Hiking Essentials and other details to help plan your trip. 

Town of Denning 
Ulster County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 20 at 11:30 p.m., Ulster County 911 contacted Ray Brook Dispatch about an overdue hiker in the Slide Mountain Wilderness Area. The caller stated the hiker was planning to hike Table, Peekamoose, Lone, Rocky, Balsam Cap, and Friday Mountains, but was not prepared to spend the night. Forest Rangers Horn, Martin, and Stratton responded with Ulster County Sheriff’s Deputies. The last communication with the hiker was from the summit of Peekamoose at 11:40 a.m. At 2:20 a.m., Ranger Martin located the 55-year-old from Fishkill on the Fisherman’s path, approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead. The hiker was in good health but extremely fatigued, admitting they misjudged the distance and intensity of the hike. The subject became disoriented on Friday Mountain after their phone died, which was their only source of navigation. Rangers provided food and water and assisted the hiker to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 5:15 a.m. 

While apps and maps on the phone can assist with navigation, batteries often die in the wilderness which is why Rangers suggest always travelling with a map and a compass, and backup charger.  

Town of Keene 
Essex County 
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 20 at 11:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Odell and Rooney responded to a call from Ray Brook Dispatch for an overdue hiker on Big Slide Mountain. Last contact with the hiker was six hours earlier when the 38-year-old from Clifton Park stated they were off trail. At 4:40 a.m., Rangers cleared the summit without any signs of the subject. At 7:15 a.m., Rangers found the hiker in good health approximately half a mile from the trailhead. The hiker spent the night far enough off trail that they didn’t hear Rangers calling. But early in the morning, the hiker saw headlamps and continued towards the trailhead. 

Town of North Hudson 
Essex County 
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 21 at 2:35 a.m., Essex County 911 dispatched an ambulance to the Elk Lake trailhead for two subjects complaining of hypothermia. The subjects finished their hike, but the other two members of their party had not returned yet, and they had the keys to the car. Schroon EMS warmed the subjects. As Forest Rangers Quinn and North Hudson Volunteer Fire Department prepared to search for the other two hikers, the overdue pair reached the trailhead. Resources were clear at 4:30 a.m. 

Town of Elizabethtown 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 21 at 1:46 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for a 41-year-old who was vomiting all night and could not hold down food or water as they hiked with a 13-year-old out from Marie Louise Pond. The pair stayed the night after hiking from Chapel Pond. The subject started feeling lightheaded at Blueberry Cobbles. Forest Rangers Foutch and Odell responded with an Essex County Paramedic. Rangers met the pair approximately 0.75 miles up the trail. They, provided fluids, and assisted them to the trailhead for pickup up by a family member. Resources were clear at 3:45 p.m. 

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.