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 the first half of 2025, Rangers conducted 139 search and rescue missions, extinguished 82 wildfires covering nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires that rejuvenated 1,514 acres of land. 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, 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.”

City of Canandaigua 

Ontario County 

Public Outreach: On Oct. 14, Forest Ranger Captain Wickens and Lieutenant Kennedy spoke to students at Finger Lakes Community College about what it takes to become a Forest Ranger. They provided an overview of the role, responsibilities, and application process. In addition to the Forest Ranger session, representatives from DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement and the New York State Park Police delivered presentations, offering insights into their respective agencies and career paths.

Captain Wickens at FLCC (photo attached)

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On Oct. 14 at 9:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a concerned mother who stated her daughter was overdue from hiking Mount Marcy and may not have a light source. Forest Rangers Foutch, Rooney, and Snye responded. At 1:30 a.m., Rangers located the 18-year-old's vehicle at the Mount Van Hoevenberg Complex and then searched the trails from the trailhead and the Adirondak Loj to Marcy Dam. At 6 a.m., Ranger Rooney located the hiker from Potsdam on the Van Ho Mountain trail in good health but without an operational light source. Ranger Rooney escorted the hiker out of the woods and to their vehicle. 

Town of Vestal 

Broome County 

Wilderness Search: On Oct. 15 at 11:58 a.m., Forest Rangers Chappell, Dormer, Petit, and Roberts responded to a Vestal Police search for a missing 86-year-old last seen at 4 p.m. the previous afternoon. The subject was known to go for walks on Tracy Creek Road. Vestal Police used a drone with heat detection capability and deployed a K9 unit with negative results. Rangers assigned linear searches of the roads and Tracy Creek. At 4:15 p.m., a neighbor found the subject behind his house calling for help. The 86-year-old fell in a bush, hurt their back, and saw the lights from searchers, but wasn’t strong enough to get up or yell loudly enough for them to hear. Rangers and Vestal Fire Department members carried the subject to an ambulance. Resources were clear at 4:40 p.m. 

Town of Newfield 

Tompkins County 

Wilderness Recovery: On Oct. 15 at 1:40 p.m., Schuyler County requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for a missing 36-year-old from Alpine last seen two days earlier. A friend located the subject’s car in a parking area on Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Rangers joined the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, Amigo Search and Rescue, and 40 volunteers from eight fire departments in the search. Linear searches, drones, and K9 units produced negative results. On Oct. 17 at 1:10 p.m., search crews located the subject deceased in the WMA’s woods. Rangers turned over the subject to the Tompkins County Coroner’s office and the incident to the Tompkins County Sherrif’s Department.  

Town of Lisbon 

Otsego County 

Wilderness Recovery: On Oct. 16 at 10:48 p.m., Otsego County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a hunter reported missing by his spouse. The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, Otsego County Emergency Services, Garratsville Fire Department, Laurens Fire Department, New York State Police, and New York State Park Police and staff all joined the search efforts in Gilbert Lake State Park. Rangers assigned search areas. At 3:34 a.m., Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputy Thornhill’s team located the 67-year-old from Remsen deceased in a tree stand. Rangers used a rope system to help extricate the subject and turned them over to the county coroner.

Town of Lyons 

Wayne County 

Training: On Oct. 16 and 18, Forest Rangers Dormer, Miller, and Raffaldi-Smith instructed the Basic Wildland Fire Suppression Course at the Wayne County Emergency Management Building. They taught 18 firefighters about the basics of fire behavior, wildland firefighting tactics, and the tools used in fire suppression.

Wildland fire suppression course (photo attached)

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Training: On Oct. 17, 13 Forest Rangers passed their reaccreditation with the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) for technical rope rescue certification. MRA was established in 1959, making it the oldest search and rescue association in the country. Rangers use technical skills learned on difficult high- and low-angle rope rescues. 

Rope rescue certification (three photos attached)

City of Albany 

Albany County 

Prescribed Burn: On Oct. 17, Forest Ranger Commerford, DEC staff from the Office of Emergency Management and Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted a prescribed burn of four acres at the Albany Pine Bush.  

Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. These burns are regulated by law and regulation and require technical expertise to safely conduct. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is used to reduce the buildup of wood, timber litter, and other fuel to reduce the potential for wildfires that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. DEC carefully implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.

Prescribed burn at Albany Pine Bush (two photos attached)

Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn crew (photo attached)

Town of North Elba 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On Oct. 17 at 8:21 p.m., Forest Rangers Corey and Quinn responded to a call for three hikers lost off trail near Mount Van Hoevenberg. The hikers were attempting to hike Cascade Mountain but got off trail. Their only light source was their phones. At 10:55 p.m., Rangers located the three hikers and escorted them to the trailhead.

While phones can be helpful, batteries often die in the wilderness, which is why Rangers always recommend traveling with headlamps and extra batteries. 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On Oct. 17 at 11:01 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker who became separated from their spouse while hiking back to Adirondak Loj from Mount Marcy. At 11:44 p.m. Rangers located the 67-year-old from Connecticut and reunited the couple. Resources were clear at 12:42 a.m. 

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.