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.

“From wildfires, to floods, to search and rescue operations, whenever emergencies strike, DEC’s Forest Rangers are always the first to jump into action,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “I commend our Rangers for their heroic work to keep New Yorkers and our visitors safe in some of the most adverse conditions in the world, and for leading the state’s response to emergency situations. Their efforts to inspire the next generation of safe and responsible outdoor enthusiasts are instrumental in DEC’s efforts to support the outdoor recreation economy, and I encourage all New Yorkers interested in joining our ranks to visit DEC’s website to learn how to become the next New York State Forest Ranger and be part of their historic legacy of protecting New York’s forests.”

Town of Lewis 

Fulton County 

Training: On Feb. 17, Forest Rangers Foutch and Quinn participated in snowmobile accident training. Rangers respond to snowmobile crashes each winter and work closely with fire departments and paramedics during these rescues. The simulated crash at the training provided Rangers, Elizabethtown-Lewis EMS, North Hudson Fire Department, and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department an opportunity to work on rescue skills in the event of an accident. 

Snowmobile accident training (two photos attached)

Town of Webb 

Herkimer County 

Snowmobile Accident: On Feb. 21 at 6:14 p.m., while on routine snowmobile patrol, Forest Ranger Snye was the first responder to a snowmobile crash on Fourth Lake. The snowmobiler involved in the accident complained of neck, shoulder, rib, and back pain, and also reported losing consciousness after the crash. Ranger Snye, Inlet EMS, and Eagle Bay and Inlet Fire Departments packaged the 58-year-old from Pennsylvania and transported them to an ambulance. 

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Wilderness Search: On Feb. 22 at 7:40 p.m., Greene County 911 received a call from two hikers lost on the escarpment trail. Forest Rangers Fox and Peterson were unable to reestablish contact with the hikers, so they hiked to the coordinates of the 911 call. Rangers reached the two 53-year-old hikers approximately one mile from the North-South Lake Campground. Greene County Sheriff’s Deputies drove the pair to their vehicle and resources were clear at 9:50 p.m. 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Feb. 23 at 11:59 a.m., a 33-year-old from Maryland slipped on the ice approximately 200 feet from her vehicle at Chapel Pond, injuring her leg. Forest Ranger Quinn, the Keene Valley Fire Department, and the subject’s climbing partners helped carry out the patient. Keene Valley Fire Department transported the subject to Elizabethtown Hospital. 

Town of Pharsalia 

Chenango County 

Training: On Feb. 24, Forest Ranger Oldroyd conducted flat ice airboat training at Balsam Swamp State Forest for 10 Rangers from DEC Regions 4, 7, and 8. Rangers often use airboats during flat ice, swift water, and open water incidents. Video of the airboat is available to download here https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/AirboatTraining_BalsamSwampStateForest.mov. 

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