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 Rush 

Monroe County 

Training: On March 24, Forest Rangers Chappell, Cordell, and Roberts conducted Aviation Ground School training at the Rush Oak Openings Unique Area for other Rangers and staff from the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Trainees refreshed their hoist rescue skills from a New York State Police (NYSP) helicopter and on the ground. Forest Rangers act as crew chiefs in the helicopter. Rangers use a winch to insert the Rangers so they can harness the subject for a hoist rescue. Video of the training is available for download,  

https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/R8_Rangers_HoistTraining_Up_1648.mp4

Hoist training (photo attached)

Ranger Raffaldi-Smith at hoist training (photo attached)

Albany, Chenango, Dutchess, and Suffolk Counties  

Prescribed Burns: On March 27, Forest Rangers from DEC Regions 5 and 7, staff from DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, and staff from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry conducted a prescribed fire on 6.2 acres in the Long Pond State Forest. Forest Rangers Hicks and Scott and staff from The Nature Conservancy conducted a prescribed fire on approximately 180 acres in the Mashomack Preserve. 

On March 28, 10 Forest Rangers, staff from DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, the Milan Fire Department, and staff from the Sharpe Reservation conducted a prescribed fire on approximately 15 acres in the Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area. Drone video of this prescribed fire is available for download, https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/Milan%20Prescribed%20Fire.MP4

Forest Rangers from DEC Region 4, staff from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Albany Pine Bush conducted a prescribed burn on 30 acres in 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 conduct safely. 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 and responsibly implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals, including while the statewide annual ban on residential brush burning is in effect. 

Prescribed fire in Smithville, Chenango County (two photos attached)

Prescribed fire on Shelter Island, Suffolk County (photo attached)

Prescribed fire in Milan, Dutchess County (two photos attached)

Prescribed fire in Albany, Albany County (photo attached)

Albany Pine Bush prescribed fire team (photo attached)

Chemung, Chenango, Orange, Saratoga, and Washington Counties   

Wildland Fires: Between March 14 and 31, Forest Rangers responded to fires in five counties across New York State. The fires burned 23 acres of land. The largest fire was in Catlin, Chemung County, measuring eight acres. This fire started on March 24 and was declared out the following day. Two of the five fires were caused by debris burning. DEC reminds New Yorkers that the statewide brush burning ban is in effect until May 14. Violators are subject to a minimum fine of $500.

Greenfield, Saratoga County, fire caused by broken powerline (two 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