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 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 Acting 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.” 

Albany, Monroe, Onondaga, Steuben, and Suffolk Counties  

Prescribed Burns: Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. These burns are regulated by law and regulation and require technical expertise to conduct safely. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is used to reduce the buildup of wood, timber litter, and other fuel to reduce the potential for wildfires that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. DEC carefully and responsibly implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals, including while the statewide annual ban on residential brush burning is in effect. The following burns were recently conducted: 

• On April 21 and 25, Forest Rangers and additional DEC and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted prescribed burns on 68 acres of the Albany Pine Bush;
  

• On April 24, Forest Rangers and staff from DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife conducted prescribed burns in Onondaga County on nearly 34 acres on Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area in Lysander; 
  

• On April 23, Forest Rangers, staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, Fire Wardens, and volunteers conducted a prescribed burn in Monroe County on more than 56 acres on Rush Oak Openings Unique Area in Rush;
  

• On April 24, Forest Rangers and staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, and Fire Wardens conducted a prescribed burn in Steuben County on five acres on West Hill State Forest in Hornby; and
  

• On April 25, Forest Rangers, DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, Operations, and Marine Resources, Brookhaven National Lab, Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, and staff from The Nature Conservancy conducted a prescribed burn in Suffolk County on more than four acres on the Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area in Brookhaven. 
  

Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest prescribed burn (Suffolk County) (photo attached)

Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (Albany County) (photo attached)

Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (Albany County) (photo attached)

Rush Oak Openings prescribed burn (Monroe County) (photo attached)

Rush Oak Openings prescribed burn (Monroe County) (photo attached)

Chemung, Chenango, Orange, Sullivan, and Warren Counties 

Wildland Fires: Between April 21 and 28, Forest Rangers and local fire departments responded to fires in five counties across New York State. The fires burned more than 21 acres. The largest fire was in Lake Luzerne, Warren County, measuring 14 acres, which started on April 24 and was contained the same day. Six of the eight fires were caused by debris burning. DEC reminds New Yorkers that the statewide brush burning ban is in effect through May 14. Violators of the ban are subject to a minimum fine of $500. 

The Hudson Valley, Catskill, and Long Island regions are in “high” danger status. The current fire danger map is available on DEC’s website. 

Lake Luzerne fire (photo attached)

Lake Luzerne fire (photo attached)

Town of Avon 

Livingston County 

Public Outreach: On April 24, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kennedy and Ranger Raffaldi-Smith turned “take your kid to work day” into a learning experience for participating children. Rangers conducted a drone demonstration, talked about fire safety while roasting marshmallows, and let the kids try on some of their gear. 

Ranger Raffaldi-Smith talks to student about fire gear (photo attached)

Students learn about drones  (photo attached)

Town of Lexington 

Greene County 

Wilderness Recovery: On April 24 at 7:15 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for an unresponsive subject approximately one mile up West Kill Mountain. The original call came from another hiker. At 8:30 p.m., Forest Rangers located the hiker, deceased. Rangers, a DEC Division of Law Enforcement Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigator (BECI), New York State Police (NYSP), Ashland Fire and EMS, and the Lexington Fire Department recovered the subject and turned them over to the Greene County Coroner. Resources were clear at 12:15 a.m. NYSP is handling the investigation. 

Town of New Paltz 

Ulster County 

Public Outreach: On April 25, Forest Rangers Rusher and Sweeney participated in an Arbor Day event at the Montessori School of New Paltz. Rangers spoke to 45 students about their role as Forest Rangers and discussed hiking, camping, and fire safety. Rangers gave the students a chance to put out a simulated wildfire with backpack pumps. Rangers also showed the classes how to carry out a rescue subject by allowing students to carry their friends in a litter basket. 

Town of Indian Lake 

Hamilton County 

Wilderness Search: On April 26 at 11 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch alerted Forest Rangers to a lost hiker on Blue Mountain. The dispatcher determined the hiker was off trail, approximately one-half mile southeast of the summit. Ranger Miller reached the subject by phone. The hiker advised they were able to get a map phone app to work and make it back to the trail. Ranger Miller told the 41-year-old from Syracuse to begin making his way slowly to the summit. Ranger Miller hiked up the snow-covered service road to the summit and met the hiker. Rangers Lewis and Nahor arrived in UTVs and transported Ranger Miller and the subject to Ranger Miller’s truck. Ranger Miller drove the hiker to his vehicle and resources were clear at 2 p.m. 

Town of Lake George 

Warren County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 26 at 1:45 p.m., the Warren County Sheriff’s Department requested Forest Ranger assistance with the carry out of a hiker who suffered a lower leg injury on Prospect Mountain. Rangers Geyer, Kabrehl, Morehouse, and Perryman reached the 37-year-old from Boston and transported him in a litter to an awaiting ambulance. 

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.