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.    

  

As of July 1, Rangers have conducted 139 search and rescue missions in 2025, extinguished 82 wildfires covering nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires that rejuvenated 1,514 acres of land to date. 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 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.” 

 

Town of Hadley 

Saratoga County 

Training: On Aug. 4, American Canoe Association-licensed Forest Ranger instructors led a river paddling clinic on the Sacandaga River. Twenty Rangers refreshed their paddling skills and maneuvers in moving whitewater. Rangers patrol waterways on State land and also use these skills in floodwater rescue response. Video of some of the training in available to download at  https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/River%20Padding%20Clinic%20On%20Sacandaga/

 

River paddling clinic (two photos attached)

 

Town of Oppenheim 

Fulton County 

Agency Assist: On Aug. 4 at 4:10 p.m., while returning from an Incident Management Team assignment at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Forest Ranger Captain Pickett saw a U-Haul truck in a ditch. Two subjects in the truck fled into the woods. Ranger Lieutenant Kerr and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office searched for the subjects. Lt. Kerr found one and turned over custody to the Sheriff’s Deputies at scene. 

 

City of Syracuse and Town of Medina 

Onondaga and Orleans Counties 

Public Outreach: On Aug. 5, Forest Ranger Chappell and Environmental Conservation Police Officer Swart participated in Syracuse’s National Night Out. Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kennedy and Ranger Cordell participated in the Orleans County National Night Out. The events, held every August, enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement all over the country while inspiring a sense of community.

 

Ranger Chappell and ECO Swart at Syracuse National Night Out (photo attached)

 

Ranger Cordell at Orleans County National Night Out (photo attached)

 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 6 at 10:40 a.m., off-duty Forest Ranger Adams came across a hiker who had fallen and dislocated their shoulder on Saddleback Mountain. New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation was approved. Ranger Lieutenant Kerr served as hoist operator on the helicopter and lowered a NYSP medic to splint the subject’s shoulder and prepare the 30-year-old from Quebec for a hoist. Lt. Kerr successfully hoisted the subject into the helicopter. Pilots Betts and Drindak flew them to the hospital. Resources were clear at 12:30 p.m. Video of the hoist rescue is available for download, https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/Saddleback_Mountain_hoist_rescue_8.6.25.mp4

 

Saddleback Mountain rescue (photo attached)

 

Saddleback Mountain hoist rescue (photo attached)

 

Town of Brighton 

Franklin County 

Wilderness Search: On Aug. 6 at 7:46 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for a missing 79-year-old with dementia. Eight Rangers worked with NYSP units using drones, a blood hound, and local fire departments. The overnight search yielded negative results. The following morning, 21 Rangers, nine fire departments, five NYSP units, NYSP Aviation, six members of Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks, and DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement joined the efforts. At 10:55 a.m., Forest Ranger Nahor located the subject in good physical health other than minor scrapes.

 

Ranger Nahor locates missing subject (photo attached)

 

Command post for missing subject (photo attached)

 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 7 at 1:13 p.m., Forest Ranger Curcio received a call from an 18-year-old hiker 50 yards off the summit of Mount Marcy complaining of fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and vomiting. The hiker from New Jersey had also run out of water, which the summit steward provided. Once rehydrated, the teenager told Ranger Curcio they could hike the Van Hoevenberg trail on their own. While hiking in, Ranger Curcio continued checking in on the subject. At 5 p.m., Rangers met the group one mile above Indian Falls. The hiker was moving well, but Rangers provided electrolytes and food out of an abundance of caution and escorted the group to Marcy Dam and then to the Adirondak Loj. 

 

DEC encourages hikers to bring plenty of food and water for their hike in case the hike lasts longer than expected. Proper preparation for a hike can reduce bouts of cramping and dehydration. 

 

Town of Lawrence
St. Lawrence County

Wildland Fire: On Aug. 7 at 2 p.m., St. Lawrence County requested Forest Ranger assistance with a wildland fire. A landowner was burning brush when it escaped containment and burned down two outbuildings near their camp. The fire burned one tenth of an acre before local fire departments extinguished the flames. Rangers worked on hot spots, and on Aug. 11, declared the fire out. 

 

Town of Lake Luzerne 

Warren County 

Public Outreach: On Aug. 8, Forest Rangers Clute and Geyer spent the day at Hadley Youth Camp. Rangers talked about hiking safety and preparedness, and how Rangers perform search and rescue operations. Campers also wished Smokey Bear a happy birthday. 

 

Hadley Youth Camp (two photos attached)

 

Hadley Youth Camp with Smokey Bear (photo attached)

 

Village of Wappingers Falls 

Dutchess County 

Wilderness Search: On Aug. 8 at 10:40 a.m., Forest Ranger Russo received a call from a subject reporting her friend, a 70-year-old from Colorado, had become disoriented on the Freedom trail. Ranger Pries was in the area, found the caller, and the two hiked the Freedom trail. After reaching the end of the State land boundary, Ranger Pries called out the missing subject’s name and they answered. Ranger Pries guided the pair back to the trail and assisted them to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 1:45 p.m. 

  

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 8 at 2:43 p.m., Greene County 911 reached out to Forest Ranger Fox about a hiker at Kaaterskill Falls trail suffering from heat exhaustion. At 5:06 p.m., Ranger Commerford and Assistant Forest Rangers (AFRs) Massa and Zeleznik reached the 62-year-old from New Jersey. The subject was complaining of weakness, dizziness, and exhaustion, and was also a diabetic. Rangers provided electrolytes and food, which enabled the hiker to continue the hike out. At 5:14 p.m., they started walking with the subject and their hiking group when Rangers were met by a Greene County Paramedic and Tannersville Fire Department. At 5:25 p.m., everyone exited the woods and the patient was turned over to Hunter EMS. 

 

DEC encourages hikers to bring plenty of food and water for their hike in case the hike lasts longer than expected. Proper preparation for a hike can reduce bouts of cramping and dehydration. DEC also encourages checking the forecast before an adventure and if it’s too hot, consider hiking a different day. 

 

 

Town of Shandaken 

Ulster County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 9 at 3:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a 62-year-old hiker experiencing weakness and persistent vomiting on Wittenberg Mountain. Despite showing signs of fatigue at 1 p.m., the hiker and their son continued to the summit of the mountain. After hiking back down half a mile, the hiker from New Jersey could no longer continue. Due to the remote location, New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation was approved. Rangers Fox and Stratton and a NYSP medic were lowered down to the patient. NYSP successfully hoisted the subject and brought them back to the Catskill Interpretive Center. 

 

Wittenberg rescue (photo attached)

  

Town of Santa Clara 

Franklin County 

Wildland Fire: On Aug. 10 at 6:52 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a wildland fire near Little Long Pond in the St. Regis Canoe Area. Forest Rangers Corey and Ordway responded. By 12:24 a.m., Rangers brought the fire under control.

 

Little Long Lake Fire (three photos attached)

 

Town of Harrietstown 

Franklin County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 10 at 7:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a third-party Garmin SOS activation stating “sick, injured, broken, dislocated” in the Sawtooth Mountains. At 9:51 p.m., Forest Rangers made contact with the subject and provided care to the subject. Based on the patient assessment, Rangers determined the hiker could walk out overnight. At 12:05 a.m., Rangers assisted the subject to the trailhead. 

 

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