DEC FOREST RANGERS – WEEK IN REVIEW

Recent Statewide Forest Ranger Actions

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.  

In the first half of 2025, Rangers conducted 139 search and rescue missions, extinguished 82 wildfires covering nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires that rejuvenated 1,514 acres of land. 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, 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 Croghan 
Lewis County 
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 5, four Forest Rangers, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, Lewis County Emergency Management and the Castorland, Croghan, and New Breman Fire Departments responded to a wildland fire burning leaf litter and measuring almost 23 acres. Fire departments knocked down most of the active flames around the perimeter, but as of 8 p.m., the fire was only 20 percent contained. Two Rangers continued patrolling the fire overnight. Six Rangers responded the following day and worked with the Croghan Fire Department to bring water to the scene. On Oct. 6 the fire was declared 100 percent controlled. Rangers are still patrolling and putting out hot spots. 

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Manhattan 
New York County 
Public Outreach: On Oct. 6, Forest Ranger Scott and Smokey Bear participated in the Ad Council’s Advertising Week Icon Walk. They joined mascots and icons from hundreds of different campaigns. Smokey helps spread fire safety messages to people all over the country. 

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Town of Bolton 
Warren County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 10 at 4:11 p.m., a hiker called Ray Brook Dispatch from Thomas Mountain reporting their mother could not continue the hike due to a preexisting knee condition. Ranger Geyer made contact with the hiking party as they were coming down from the summit to the north trailhead. Rangers searched the trail with negative results. Ranger Geyer called them back and instructed them to call 911 so they could get accurate coordinates. Coordinates placed them on the Ridge trail between Cat and Thomas Mountains. Eleven Rangers carried a wheeled litter, medical equipment, and ropes to their location. After completing a medical assessment, Rangers wrapped the 73-year-old from Bath in a hypowrap for warmth and packaged the hiker into the litter. Rangers evacuated the patient using a series of ropes to reach an ATV. They reached the trailhead at 8:30 p.m. 

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Town of Blenheim 
Schoharie County 
Search: On Oct.10 at 6 p.m., Forest Ranger Welch responded to a call for a missing subject with dementia. The 83-year-old was last seen at 4 p.m. The Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department worked with Ranger Welch to search the wooded area surrounding the subject’s home by foot and also using a drone. At 7:10 p.m., Schoharie County Dispatch received a call from someone reporting the missing subject knocking on their door looking for assistance to get back home. A Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant responded and brought the subject back home. 

Town of Highland 
Sullivan County 
Public Outreach: On Oct. 11, Forest Rangers Kocher and Schweider attended Highland Lake Fire Department’s Community Day/Touch a Truck event. Rangers talked about the duties of a Forest Ranger and wildfire safety. Rangers showed members of the community the gear they carry and used a backpack pump so children could put out a simulated fire. 

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Hamlet of Copake Falls 
Columbia County 
Public Outreach: On Oct. 11, Forest Ranger Jackson participated in Taconic State Park’s Autumn in the Park. Along with Smokey and Sparky, Ranger Jackson spread the word about fire safety. 

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Town of Clifton 
Lawrence County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 11 at 3:34 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch was contacted by St. Lawrence County 911 about two hikers unable to make it back to the trailhead from Cranberry Lake Wild Forest. The 29- and 57-year-olds were suffering from exhaustion after hiking the Peavine Swamp trail. Forest Rangers Emerson and Shea found the hikers, provided water and electrolytes, and assisted them back to the trailhead.  

Town of Hunter 
Greene County 
Wilderness Recue: On Oct.11 at 3:45 p.m., Greene County 911 informed Forest Ranger Commerford that a hiker on the lower falls of Kaaterskill Falls was possibly experiencing a diabetic emergency and a partial loss of consciousness. At 4 p.m., Ranger Commerford and Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Massa reached the 34-year-old from New Jersey. The hiker was not diabetic but was suffering from low blood sugar because they hadn’t eaten enough during the day. Rangers proved water and electrolytes while someone else in the hiking party provided snacks. After resting, the subject was feeling better and able to walk out. Ranger Commerford and AFR Massa assisted the subject to the Laurel House trailhead, where they were met by Hunter EMS and Greene County Paramedic. Resources were clear at 5 p.m. 
Rangers suggest eating plenty of food and drinking plenty of water before and during hikes to keep nourished for the entirety of the hike, and longer in case things don’t go as planned. 

Town of North Elba 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 11 at 5:45 p.m., the Marcy Dam caretaker contacted Ray Brook Dispatch about a hiker experiencing symptoms of dehydration. At 7:35 p.m., Rangers Duchene and R. Praczkajlo reached the 52-year-old from Yonkers. At 8:05 p.m., they made it to the trailhead where Lake Placid EMS then transported the patient to the hospital. 

Town of Keene Valley 
Essex County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 12 at 12:25 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker reporting their parent lost consciousness and then came to on the Big Slide trail. Forest Ranger R. Praczkajlo called the hiker and found out the 56-year-old from New Jersey was diabetic. Ranger Praczkajlo met the pair on the trail and assisted them back to the trailhead. The hiker refused further medical care. 

Town of Arietta 
Hamilton County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 12 at 2:40 p.m., Forest Rangers Caswell and Hamm, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department, and Piseco Fire Department responded to Good Luck Cliff for a hiker with a possible broken ankle. Rangers reached the 35-year-old from Staten Island, splinted the injured ankle, and assisted the hiker back to the trailhead. Speculator EMS transported the patient to the hospital. 

Town of Hunter 
Greene County 
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 12, at 2:32 p.m., a group of hikers stopped to see a historic stone building while hiking from South Lake Day Use Area to Kaaterskill Falls. While looking, a 27-year-old from East Patchogue fell and sustained a significant ankle injury. Forest Rangers Dawson and Jackson located the subject on the yellow marked trail near the building. They splinted the ankle and got the patient to Ranger Dawson’s truck to drive to the South Lake Road trailhead. Hunter ambulance transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 4 p.m. 

Town of Ohio 
Herkimer County 
Wilderness Search: On Oct. 12 at 9 p.m., Herkimer County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for an overdue hunter who entered the woods off Christman Road adjacent to Ferris Lake Wild Forest. The 28-year-old from Dolgeville  took a 12-year-old hunting during  the big game season’s youth hunt, but the pair became separated. The 12-year-old claimed to hear a yell of distress and ran out of the woods to the closest occupied house for help calling 911. A New York State Police (NYSP) K-9 and drone unit joined four Rangers and an Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) in the search. They searched dozens of miles overnight utilizing sirens and signal shots without any response. Shortly before 8 a.m., NYSP located the missing subject in good health walking on the access road. NYSP is handling the circumstances of the incident. 

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: http://on.ny.gov/NYSForestRangerRoster