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.
During the first six months of 2026, Forest Rangers conducted 126 search and rescue missions, extinguished 65 wildfires covering more than 215 acres, and participated in 54 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,355 acres of land. In 2025, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 202 wildfires covering 840 acres, participated in 68 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,649 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,100 tickets and arrests. Also in 2025, 41 Forest Rangers were deployed to fire assignments in 10 different states.
“Our Forest Rangers are elite law enforcement leaders who put their lives on the line when they respond to a search and rescue, wildland fire, or State land violation,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “We’re fortunate to have them patrolling State lands and keeping people safe. Their expertise and professionalism are valuable assets, not only in New York, but around the country wherever emergencies arise.”
Town of Wells
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 1 at 3 p.m., Forest Ranger Caswell received a call about a hiker who fell into the rapids at the base of Auger Falls in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area. Four Rangers and a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy responded and located the 38-year-old from Kentucky stranded on a rock. Another four Rangers arrived to help set up a technical rope rescue. Rangers successfully assisted the subject back to the trail and escorted them out of the woods. Resources were clear at 10:50 p.m.
Town of Brasher
St. Lawrence County
Law Enforcement: On July 3, a Forest Ranger determined an individual camping at the Walter Pratt Memorial Forest had an active warrant for a petit larceny charge in Ogdensburg. Ogdensburg Police confirmed the individual was wanted. Two Rangers and a St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy took the subject into custody without incident. The Ranger advised the remaining occupant at the campsite to remove their belongings because their permit expired.
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 3 at 9:50 a.m., the Great Camp Santanoni Adirondack Architectural Heritage intern informed Ray Brook Dispatch that a camper at one of the primitive sites on Newcomb Lake had a hand laceration and lost consciousness. Forest Ranger Lieutenant Snye and Ranger Savarie responded. When they arrived, the 51-year-old from Northville was conscious and alert. Rangers inspected the wound and transported the subject to the trailhead and turned over care to Newcomb EMS.
Town of Webb
Herkimer County
Wilderness Search: On July 3 at 9:53 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch alerted Forest Rangers to a hiker off trail and lost in the Fulton Chain Wild Forest. At 10:15 a.m., Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Winnicki located the tired and wet 70-year-old half a mile off trail. AFR Winnicki escorted the hiker out of the woods to Rondaxe Road. A Webb Police Officer transported the subject to the Bald Mountain parking lot. Resources were clear at 11 a.m.
Town of Willsboro
Essex County
Boat Capsized: On July 3, while on boat patrol on Lake Champlain, Forest Rangers Bode, Holdridge, Odell, and Russell saw a sailing dinghy on its side near the Four Brothers Islands. The operator said the rudder came off and then the wind capsized the sailboat. Rangers managed to upright the boat and held it stable while the boat’s operator repaired the rudder.
Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 3 at 3:07 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a hiker experiencing severe cramps on Marble Mountain in the Wilmington Wild Forest. At 5:45 p.m., Ranger DuChene reached the 19-year-old from New Jersey and provided electrolytes and snacks. Seven Rangers assisted the hiker back to the trailhead where they decided to seek medical attention on their own. Resources were clear at 7:50 p.m.
Town of St. Armand
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 3 at 4:47 p.m., Forest Ranger Adams heard a Franklin County 911 call for two kayakers stranded in the vicinity of the Permanent Rapids on Saranac River. Ranger Ezumah swam across the river to provide life vests to the 15-year-old and 43-year-old from Redford. The family said they started from the Moose Pond bridge and were unaware the river had rapids. Rangers brought an inflatable kayak across and ferried the two subjects to shore. Saranac Lake EMS evaluated the subjects. Bloomington, Paul Smiths-Gabriels, and Saranac Lake Fire Departments also responded. Rangers Adams and Bowler went back to retrieve the two kayaks. Resources were clear at 8:30 p.m.
Town of Rochester
Ulster County
Storm Damage: On July 4 at 8:07 p.m., Forest Ranger Martin responded to a report of storm damage at the Cherrytown Road trailhead on Sundown Wild Forest. The exit route for multiple visitor vehicles was blocked due to fallen trees. Ranger Allwine joined Ranger Martin and cleared all the trees and debris by 12:35 a.m.
Town of Rockland
Sullivan County
Water Recovery: On July 4 at 9:07 p.m., Forest Ranger Rusher responded to a report of a missing kayaker at Mongaup Pond Campground. The kayak was located, but the 56-year-old kayaker from Pine Island was not. The Sullivan County Dive team searched the water while Rangers Rusher and Stratton searched the shore. They continued until 1:30 a.m. At 7 a.m., the search resumed with five Rangers, the New York State Police and Sullivan County Dive Teams, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Livingston Manor EMS. At 11:28 a.m., the Sullivan County Dive team located the kayaker deceased in the middle of Mongaup Pond. The subject was turned over to the County Coroner.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers condolences to the family.
Town of Dresden
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 5 at 12:09 a.m., Forest Rangers Perryman and Peterson responded to a call for two hikers who climbed the summit of Buck Mountain and then encountered a bear. The two 17-year-olds ran away and found a hunter’s camp and sheltered in the mud room. Rangers located the hikers and escorted them out of the woods. Resources were clear at 9:20 a.m.
Town of Belfast
Allegany County
Wilderness Search: On July 5 at 1 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for a teenager with autism who ran away from home. Four Rangers joined NYSP, 20 members of the Belfast and Wellsville Fire Departments, and the Allegany County Search Team. Search crews located a shirt that belonged to the teenager in a ravine approximately one mile from the residence. At 4:15 p.m., Ranger Skudlarek located the subject in the ravine approximately half a mile from the residence. EMS evaluated the teen and reunited them with their family.
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “Hike Smart NY,” “Adirondack Backcountry,” 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.
