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.”

City of Hudson 

Columbia County 

Public Outreach: On February 17, Forest Ranger Jackson attended the annual Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Museum Scouting America merit badge day. Ranger Jackson assisted 81 Scouts receiving their fire merit badge. The Scouts worked through six stations. Ranger Jackson taught them about the consequences and impacts of wildland fires and how to maintain cooking and campfires.

Ranger Jackson at FASNY Museum Scouting America merit badge day (photo attached)

City of Albany 

Albany County 

Training: On February 19 and 20, the New York State Police (NYSP) Underwater Recovery Team and NYSP Aviation hosted shallow water egress training for 17 Forest Ranger Crew Chiefs. Rangers learned how to stay calm and oriented while upside down in the water to make their escape in the unlikely event that their helicopter goes into the water. Rangers and NYSP Aviation work together on missions supporting search and rescue, and wildfire suppression Video highlights of the training is available for download at https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/ForestRangerHelicopterCrashTraining.mp4. 

Helicopter egress training (photo attached)

Previous bucket training (photo attached)

Town of Schroon 

Essex County 

Wilderness Recovery: On February 24 at 3 p.m., nine Forest Rangers joined NYSP in searching for a missing hiker. The 51-year-old from the state of Florida failed to check out of his lodging that morning. The hiker was last seen on February 19 and mentioned going snowshoeing on Crane Mountain. At 7:32 p.m., Forest Rangers located them deceased at the Oxshoe Pond lean-to. Rangers transported them to the Essex County Coroner at the Crane Pond Road trailhead. The Oxshoe Pond lean-to is closed to the public until further notice. NYSP determined the manner of death was suicide. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers its condolences to the hiker’s family. 

If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, help is available. Call or text 988 for New York State’s free 24-hour hotline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Town of North Hudson 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On February 25 at 8:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from an individual reporting her spouse overdue in the Dix Range. The hiker planned a two-day hike and started the previous day. The last contact was 7:15 a.m., approximately six miles from the planned ending point. The 58-year-old from Mechanicville stated they were tired and moving slowly. At 9:50 p.m., Forest Rangers located the hiker’s vehicle at the Elk Lake trailhead. Seven Rangers searched throughout the night with negative results. On February 26, more than 20 Rangers were deployed and NYSP Aviation conducted aerial searches and inserted Rangers to higher elevations. At 2:55 p.m., a Ranger search crew located the subject off the Lillian Brook trail. The hiker exhibited symptoms of mild hypothermia and frostbite. At 4:20 p.m., Ranger R. Praczkajlo successfully hoisted the subject into the helicopter. NYSP Pilot Engel flew them to Lake Placid Airport where they met Lake Placid Emergency Medical Services. Video of the hoist rescue is available for download at https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/DixMountain_HoistRescue_2-25-26.mp4. 

Dix Mountain rescue (two photos attached)

Hamlet of Raquette Lake 

Hamilton County 

Stranded Snowmobiler: On February 26 at 3:43 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call regarding a stranded snowmobiler on Raquette Lake. At 6:14 a.m., Ranger Scott located the 47-year-old from Brooklyn on the shoreline of the lake and assisted them back to their vehicle. The subject was ice fishing when the snowmobile failed. The owner returned during daylight hours to remove the snowmobile. 

Town of Long Lake 

Hamilton County 

Snowmobile Accident: On February 27 at 5:15 p.m., two Forest Rangers responded to a call for a snowmobiler through the ice on Forked Lake. Other riders in the group pulled the 60-year-old from Hammondsport out of the water, but the snowmobiler needed further assistance. Rangers Milano and Miller brought the subject to a Ranger truck to be warmed. Emergency Medical Services assessed the subject, who refused further medical care. 

Hamlet of Lyon Mountain  

Clinton County 

Snowmobile Patrol: On February 28, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Booth conducted a joint snowmobile patrol with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. They patrolled 70 miles to help ensure safe and enjoyable riding experiences for all  

Snowmobile patrol (photo 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.