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.”

Town of Greece 

Monroe County 

Training: On June 6, six Forest Rangers partnered with New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation to conduct wildland fire bucket training. Three Forest Ranger Crew Chiefs operated inside NYSP helicopters while others called in the drops on targets. This training ensures that NYSP pilots and Ranger Crew Chiefs are prepared for bucket drops in the event of an actual wildfire. 

Forest Rangers and NYSP aviation have an invaluable relationship, combining training and experience to provide unique and critical services in time of crisis, whether it be for search and rescue or wildland firefighting. 

Bucket training (two photos attached)

Village of Stamford 

Delaware County 

Public Outreach: On June 14, Forest Ranger Bink and Smokey Bear participated in the 53^rd annual Flag Day Parade. Roxbury Constable Stephen Williamson, who has been in law enforcement for more than 50 years, served as Grand Marshal. Williamson has worked with Forest Rangers on numerous emergency responses over the years.

Ranger Bink and Smokey Bear at Flag Day parade (photo attached)

Grand Marshal Williamson (photo attached)

Town of Java 

Wyoming County 

Water Recovery: On June 19 at 11 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call from the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office for an overturned canoe and a missing subject. There were two people in the canoe. One made it to shore, but the other had limited swimming skills and did not. New York State Police (NYSP) and Mercy Flight Helicopter conducted nighttime air searches with negative results. The following morning, search crews were joined by NYSP and Livingston County dive teams, the Alden and North Java Fire Departments, and cadaver dogs. At 6 p.m., dive teams recovered the 46-year-old deceased.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers condolences to the family.

Town of North Elba 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On June 21 at 10 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a nine-year-old and an 11-year-old separated from their hiking group on the Marcy Dam Truck trail. The children were last seen an hour earlier. Five Forest Rangers and one Assistant Forest Ranger responded. Rangers assigned to the Marcy Dam Outpost began searching trails. At 10:40 a.m., Rangers found the children and reunited them with their family at the trailhead. 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On June 21 at 9:50 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a concerned family member reporting a 24-year-old hiker overdue in the Johns Brook Valley. Last cell phone coordinates place the subject on the Hopkins Trail junction at 7 p.m. The caller was concerned the subject did not have an adequate light source or proper layers. Rangers located the subject’s vehicle at the Garden parking lot. The hiker signed into the trail register as hiking Big Slide. At 11:05 p.m., Rangers located the hiker and assisted them back to the trailhead. 

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.