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 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.”

 

Towns of Chester, Lake George, and Lake Luzerne 

Warren County 

Training: On April 14, 15, and 16, 16 Forest Rangers participated in the largest Flood Incident Response Strike Team (FIRST) exercise ever held on the Hudson and Schroon rivers. Ranger instructors taught 82 participants techniques for whitewater swimming, throw bag rescues, swiftwater rope work, inflatable rescue boat operations, and swiftwater river crossings. FIRST is comprised of New York State Fire, New York State Police Dive Team, New York State Park Police, New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, and Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers. The joint training effort will make crews better prepared to work together during flood responses.

 

FIRST exercise (two photos attached)

 

 

Towns of Long Lake and Newcomb 

Hamilton and Essex Counties 

Training: On April 17, Forest Rangers Lewis, Martin, and Sabo trained with New York State Police Pilot Engle to become proficient in using night vision goggles.

 

Night vision goggle training(two photos attached)

 

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Water Rescue Attempt: On April 18 at approximately 12:05 p.m., Forest Ranger Peterson responded to reports of a 15-year-old who went underwater near Fawn’s Leap in Kaaterskill Creek. Ranger Peterson responded in coordination with Town of Hunter Police Department, Town of Hunter Ambulance, Haines Falls, Tannersville and Palenville Fire Departments, the Greene County Sheriff's Office, and Greene Paramedics.

 

Tragically, the teenager from Brooklyn was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the incident with assistance from DEC’s Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI).

 

City of Albany 

Albany County 

Prescribed Fire: On April 18, Forest Ranger Horn joined Albany Pine Bush staff including Burn Boss Briggs to conduct a controlled burn of 11.5 acres of the Albany Pine Bush.

 

Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife.

 

DEC recently announced the beginning of prescribed fire season. These burns are regulated by law and regulation and require technical expertise to safely conduct. 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.

 

Prescribed burn at Albany Pine Bush crew (photo attached)

 

Prescribed burn at Albany Pine Bush (photo attached)

 

Town of Horicon  

Warren County  

Wilderness Search and Training: On April 18, Forest Rangers conducted a limited continuous search for Tom Messick, a hunter missing since 2015. Three Rangers joined 19 members of Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue (LASAR) to focus on areas that may reveal clues about his disappearance. Volunteers used the opportunity to improve their crew boss and search skills. The last search was conducted in November 2025 on the 10-year anniversary of Messick’s disappearance. 

 

Tom Messick search (two photos attached)

 

Town of Webb 

Herkimer County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 18 at 3:37 p.m., Herkimer County requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker who fainted at the top of the Bald Mountain fire tower. Forest Ranger Lieutenant Bills, and Rangers Lee, Piersma, and Waligory responded. Witnesses reported seeing the 36-year-old from Gouverneur drinking with another hiker. When Rangers arrived, the other hiker dumped out a bag in an apparent effort to hide something. With the possibility of drug use, Rangers administered Narcan to the unconscious hiker. The patient remained unconscious. Rangers worked with the Eagle Bay and Old Forge Fire Departments and the town of Webb Police on multiple rope systems along the trail to get the hiker to an Old Forge Ambulance. The following day, the subject was awake and in stable condition. 

 

Village of Tupper Lake 

Franklin County 

Water Rescue: On April 18 at 3:42 p.m., two Forest Rangers responded to a report of a subject stranded on Watch Island. The subject had a canoe but was concerned about capsizing in the cold water again. The subject and their dog already capsized once. Rangers used a motorboat to rescue the subject and the dog. Resources were clear at 6:52 p.m. 

 

Town of Inlet 

Hamilton County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 18 at 5:35 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about two hikers lost off trail in Moose River Plains Wild Forest. Forest Rangers arrived at 6:00 p.m. and located the 16- and 17-year-olds in good health. Rangers escorted them to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 8:15 p.m. 

 

Town of North Hudson 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 18 at 7:01 p.m., Essex County received a text reporting a stranded hiker on the Lillian Brook trail in the Dix Range. Forest Ranger Odell located the subjects’ vehicles at the Elk Lake Road gate. At 2 p.m., loved ones called to report the 61-year-old and 28-year-old got a little lost on their planned hike of Macomb, South Dix, Grace, and Hough mountains. When Ranger Foutch arrived, Rangers found the subjects walking out. According to the hikers, it was an accidental 911 activation, but they had underestimated the snowy conditions and the time required for their hike. The pair was unprepared for the darkness; they didn’t have any headlamps. Rangers escorted the pair to their vehicles. Resources were clear at 10:00 p.m. 

 

Town of Newcomb 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 19 at 5:56 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call regarding two overdue hikers. The 23- and 24-year-olds from Cazenovia planned to hike the Santoni Range. A friend found the pair’s vehicle in the parking area. At 8:42 a.m., Forest Rangers located the hikers. They were cold and wet. Rangers rewarmed the subjects and assisted them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 9:27 a.m. 

 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 19 at1:50 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers worried about frostbite after getting their feet wet while crossing a creek on Mount Marcy. At 4:22 p.m., Forest Rangers Odell and Rooney reached the two 17-year-olds near the Phelps junction. Rangers assessed the teenagers from Connecticut and determined they had muscle soreness, but no frostbite, and could continue walking on their own. Rangers escorted the pair out of the woods. Resources were clear at 6:41 p.m. 

 

Mount Marcy Rescue (two photos attached) 

 

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