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 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 our state owned and managed lands, as well as the people who use them. Whether it is a search and rescue call or a wildfire burning out of control, they are always ready when emergencies strike,” DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “Every day and in all conditions, 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 Indian Lake 

Hamilton County 

Snowmobile Accident: On March 4 at 11:30 a.m., Hamilton County received a 911 call about an unconscious snowmobiler on Indian Lake. Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Newell arrive first at the scene, followed by Forest Ranger Milano and an Indian Lake Paramedic. The 55-year-old from Hillsdale had hit an ice heave while snowmobiling and travelled approximately 150 feet in the air on the vehicle before being ejected and travelling another nearly 150 feet after bouncing off the ice a couple of times. The subject suffered a traumatic brain injury and injured his left arm. First responders and bystanders wrapped the snowmobiler in a hypo wrap and transported him in a snow ambulance. Indian Lake Fire and EMS carried the subject to a Life Net helicopter, which flew him to the hospital. Resources were clear at 1 p.m. 

Indian Lake snowmobile accident (photo attached)

Town of Highland 

Sullivan County 

Public Outreach: On March 6, Forest Rangers Kocher and Schweider spoke to students from Barefoot Forest School about fire safety at Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area. Rangers talked about Smokey Bear, demonstrated how to safely build a fire and extinguish a fire, and covered general fire safety for campfires. The students broke into groups and attempted to build a small fire themselves.

Fire safety demonstration (photo attached)

Students attempt to build fires (photo attached)

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On March 8 at 4 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the family members of two overdue hikers. The last known location for the 25- and 30-year-olds was the summit of Upper Wolfjaw Mountain. The pair from Queensbury had left an itinerary with their family members with instructions not to worry until 3 a.m. The pair were planning to complete five peaks of the Lower Great Range. Wolfjaw was their fourth peak undertaken with strong winds, whiteout conditions, and temperatures as low as –40 degrees with the windchill in higher elevations. At 6:30 a.m., Forest Ranger Lewis located the hikers’ vehicle at the Adirondack Mountain Reserve parking lot. Rangers hiked the Wedgebrook Trail and A.W. trail. As they were about to hike the south side trail of Johns Brook Valley at 10 a.m., Johns Brook Lodge called to report the two hikers were at the lodge and in good condition. The hikers had lost the trail and could only find the trail to Johns Brook Valley. They encountered other hikers in the morning who told them about the lodge. Rangers explained how the hikers could get to the Garden parking lot and at 12:30 p.m., the pair met up with Rangers and family. 

The pair had multiple electronic devices for navigation, but the batteries all died. Rangers encourage hikers to always travel with a map and a compass. 

Town of Catharine 

Schuyler County 

Law Enforcement: On March 9 at 8:15 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a fire that broke containment on private land. Local firefighters put out the fire. Ranger Richer ticketed the responsible party for burning another’s property and forwarded the information to DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement to follow-up.

Illegal fire in Catharine (three 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