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 the backcountry.

In 2018, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 346 search and rescue missions, extinguished 105 wildfires that burned a total of 845 acres, participated in 24 prescribed fires that burned and rejuvenated 610 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in 2,354 tickets or arrests.

"Across New York, DEC Forest Rangers are on the front lines helping people safely enjoy the great outdoors," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Their knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques are critical to the success of their missions, which take them from remote wilderness areas with rugged mountainous peaks, to white-water rivers and throughout our vast forested areas statewide."

Town of Corinth
Saratoga County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 12 at 1:15 p.m., Saratoga County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch reporting two lost hikers on Spruce Mountain. County 911 coordinates placed the hikers near the old Spruce Mountain Road. The hikers took the incorrect trail for the summit and became disoriented along the climb. Forest Ranger Joe Hess responded to the trailhead along with three Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputies and they began heading to the hikers’ last known coordinates. At 3:06 p.m., the rescue crew located the 52-year-old mother and 13-year-old daughter from Latham and started walking the pair back to the trailhead where they were evaluated by Corinth EMS and released.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC's Hiking Safety and Adirondack Backcountry Information webpage for more information.