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 2022, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 359 search and rescue missions, extinguished 162 wildfires covering more than 1,300 acres, participated in 53 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate nearly 900 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests. 

“With more people visiting State lands and enjoying New York's myriad, world-class outdoor recreational opportunities, DEC’s Forest Rangers are on the front lines to help visitors get outside responsibly and get home safely,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Each day, these highly trained first responders are protecting irreplaceable natural resources and utilizing their expert knowledge of wildland fire suppression, wilderness first aid, land navigation, law enforcement, and technical rescue techniques to successfully execute critical missions, for DEC and our countless local, state, and national partners."

Town of Marbletown
Ulster County
Wilderness Recovery: On March 14 at 11:30 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) located the vehicle of a missing 45-year-old from Brooklyn in the Spring Farm parking lot of Mohonk Preserve. Over the next three days, 10 Forest Rangers joined NYSP, Mohonk Preserve Patrol Rangers, Sam’s Point Search and Rescue, and Marbletown Rescue in the search. The subject left his home on March 11, and did not report to work the following Monday or Tuesday. His daughter was the last person to hear from him by phone before he began a solo hike in the Bonticou Crag area. The search effort was made more difficult by the steep, rocky, technical terrain, and the recent snowstorm. On March 17 at 10:15 a.m., searchers located the hiker’s backpack and cell phone at the base of a 50-foot cliff. At 4:32 p.m., searchers found the subject deceased, approximately 400 feet away from the presumed fall site. The body was turned over to the Ulster County Medical Examiner’s Office. Resources were clear at 7:15 p.m.

Mohonk search (two photos attached)

Ranger Richer at rope rescue training (photo attached)

Ranger Sprague at rope rescue training (photo attached)

Hamlet of Delmar
Albany County
Public Outreach: On March 16, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Pachan participated in Career Day at Bethlehem Middle School. Lt. Pachan spoke to students about the job of a Forest Ranger and the many hats Rangers wear from law enforcement to search and rescue and wildfire suppression. The students also learned the steps required to become a Forest Ranger including academics, physical fitness, and graduating from the Law Enforcement Academy. At the end of the presentation, students tried on some of the different hats. Lt. Pachan was joined by New York State Police Trooper Rich and Mr. McLaughlin, the Director of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Lt. Pachan at Bethlehem Middle School career day (photo attached)

 Lt. Pachan at Bethlehem Middle School career day (photo attached)

 Lt. Pachan, Mr. McLaughlin, and Trooper Rich at Bethlehem Middle School career day (photo attached)

Ranger Miller with snowmobiler in Inlet (photo attached)

 Snowmobile found in Inlet (photo attached)

Town of Westport
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On March 18 at 8:45 p.m., Forest Rangers Lewis and Praczkajlo responded to a report of a lost snowmobiler near Nichols Pond. A 41-year-old from Saddlebrook was riding off trail, left his snowmobile, and tried hiking out using the trails. At 10:18 p.m., Rangers found the snowmobiler and returned him to his group.

Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Snowmobile Accident: On March 19 at 11:10 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance after a snowmobile accident between Ranger Headquarters at Moose River Plains and Indian Lake. Ranger Lieutenant Kerr and Rangers Caswell, Geyer, and Snye responded with Indian Lake Fire. Rangers reached the 53-year-old from Greenwich before noon and assessed their injuries. Rangers packaged the subject and transported him down the trail to Cedar River Road. An Indian Lake Ambulance then took the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 1:33 p.m.

Snowmobile accident in Indian Lake (two photos attached)

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