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 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.  

 

“DEC Forest Rangers are among the nation’s most versatile first responders, utilizing their expert training and wide-ranging knowledge to protect natural resources while encouraging responsible stewardship among those who visit State lands and sites,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Their expertise in wildland fire suppression, technical rescue techniques, and law enforcement mean that Rangers are always prepared to successfully execute critical missions, here in New York State, as well as across the continent.” 

 

Town of Arietta 

Hamilton County 

Law Enforcement: On Nov. 8, at 1 p.m., Forest Ranger Caswell received a call from a hunter who reported his hunting wall tent had been stolen on Powley Road site 13 in Arietta. Ranger Caswell went to the campsite and interviewed the subject who first discovered the tent was missing. The tent’s owner posted a picture on social media, hoping the $3,800 tent would be returned. On Nov. 13, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) received a call from someone who advised they possessed the tent in question. ECOs Pierce and Tabor interviewed the subject with Ranger Caswell. The subject claimed he had seen an ad for a free wall tent that just needed to be taken down. On Nov. 21, Ranger Caswell returned the tent to its owner. ECO Investigator Panipinto requested information from the ad website and web hosting services to obtain the identity of the author of the original post. On March 12, at 1 p.m., Investigator Panipinto, ECO Pierce, and Ranger Caswell interviewed a suspect in Wilton. The 64-year-old admitted to posting the tent on the ad site, which resulted in his arrest for criminal solicitation in the fourth degree. The suspect went to the Wilton State Police Barracks for processing and was released on an appearance ticket. 

 

Stolen tent (photo attached)

 

Hamlet of Narrowsburg 

Sullivan County 

Wilderness Recovery: On March 12 at 2:45 p.m., ECO Parker called Forest Ranger Schweider about an ongoing search for a missing subject. The 57-year-old from Maspeth had last been seen two nights earlier by his wife, leaving a note saying he was driving to New Jersey to get a part for their furnace. On March 12 at 1 a.m., the subject’s family pinged his phone to Crawford Road in Narrowsburg. After finding the subject’s car on the Tusten Mountain Trail, New York State Police (NYSP) and the National Park Service (NPS) requested Forest Ranger assistance. Rangers joined NYSP, NPS, and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office in the search. At 5 p.m., a NYSP Aviation unit found the subject deceased in the woods. Search crews carried the subject up the steep slope using a rope system and turned him over to the County Coroner. Resources were clear at 8:28 p.m.  
 

If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, help is available. 988 is a free 24-hour hotline to call or text anywhere in New York. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. 

 

Town of Orange 

Schuyler County 

Law Enforcement: On March 13, Forest Rangers Miller and Staples received a complaint about a subject dumping garbage while driving along State land. Rangers stopped the vehicle at a nearby intersection, noticed a six pack of beer in the back seat with some cans missing, and an open can in the middle console. While checking the subject’s driver’s license, Rangers discovered the driver also had an expired inspection. New York State Police responded to assist with the case. The subject was ticketed for driving with an open container and driving with an expired inspection.  

 

Town of Indian Lake 

Hamilton County 

Wilderness Rescue: On March 13 at 4:10 p.m., Forest Rangers Miller and Savarie responded to a call for a distressed hiker on the OK Slip Falls trail. One member of the hiking party had severe leg cramps and couldn’t walk. Rangers headed into the woods via snowmobile, found the hiking party, and transported the group 1.5 miles back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 6 p.m. 

 

Rangers Miller and Savarie heading to OK Slip Falls trail (photo attached)

 

City of Canandaigua 

Ontario County 

Public Outreach: On March 14, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kennedy and Ranger Miller represented Forest Rangers at the Finger Lakes Community College career day. Rangers talked to students about different aspects of the job and requirements to become a Ranger. New York State Police, New York State Park Police, and DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests also participated. 

 

Town of Black Brook   

Clinton County  

Wilderness Rescue: On March 14 at 12:51 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Clinton County 911 requesting Forest Ranger assistance with an injured hiker on the summit of Catamount Mountain. Ranger Odell contacted the distressed hiker who indicated that she had hurt her ankle and could not walk. Due to the severity of the injury and the location, Rangers requested NYSP Aviation assistance. Pilots Engle and Kneer and Crew Chief Ranger Martin inserted Rangers Curcio and Ordway, who assessed and packaged the 73-year-old for a hoist rescue. At 3 p.m., the subject was flown to the hospital. 

 

Ranger Ordway at Catamount Mountain rescue (photo attached)

 

Rangers Curcio and Ordway at Catamount Mountain rescue (photo attached)

 

Town of Cortlandville  

Cortland County  

Training: On March 14, Forest Ranger Oldroyd, Rangers from DEC Region 7, and the National Weather Service (NWS) conducted the annual RT-130 fire refresher training for 51 members of volunteer fire departments and DEC staff. Ranger Oldroyd presented on the previous year’s activities and case studies. Mike Kistner from NWS discussed the upcoming fire season. The training ended with the deployment of fire shelters and a pack test, during which 21 of the students ran while carrying a backpack filled with fire gear. 

 

Fire refresher training (photo attached)

 

Pack test at fire refresher training (photo attached)

  

Village of Goshen 

Orange County 

Wildland Fire: On March 14 at 3:35 p.m., Orange County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a wildfire that had been seen from Owens Road in Goshen. At 4:25 p.m., Forest Ranger Jahn determined the fire was 9.5 acres in size. By 5:30 p.m., five Rangers and other firefighters had the fire contained. Rangers declared the fire out at 7:15 p.m. The suspected cause of the fire was logging machinery that struck rocks, resulting in a spark. 

 

Wildfire in Goshen (photo attached)

 

Logging machinery that struck the rocks in Goshen (photo attached)

 

Rocks struck by logging machinery in Goshen (photo attached)

 

Town of Waverly 

Franklin County 

Training: On March 15, Forest Ranger Lieutenant LaPierre and Rangers Odell and Russell participated in active assailant training hosted by New York State Police and New York State Emergency Management. The exercise at St. Regis Falls Central School District included school employees, FBI, St. Lawrence County 911 dispatchers, area school superintendents, and surrounding fire department chiefs. 

 

Town of Preston 

Chenango County 

Wilderness Recovery: On March 15 at 12:40 p.m., Forest Rangers Burkholder, Oldroyd, and Oldroyd responded to a request from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office to join the search for a missing subject. The 38-year-old had last been seen the previous evening leaving family property on an ATV. Rangers joined search crews and drone units focusing on trails accessible to ATVs. On March 17, Rangers coordinated the search efforts using teams from New York State Federation of Search and Rescue Teams (FEDSAR.) At 9:50 a.m., search crews located the subject deceased from an apparent ATV accident, approximately 0.3 miles from his residence. The subject was turned over to the County Coroner. 

 

Town of Pleasant Valley 

Dutchess County 

Law Enforcement: On March 15 at 10:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Pries and Russo responded to reports of vehicles illegally driving on Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Area. Upon arrival, Rangers and Dutchess County Sheriff’s Officers encountered dozens of people in multiple cars. Rangers issued 22 tickets for illegal use of motorized vehicles on State land.  

 

Town of Hurley 

Ulster County 

Training: On March 16, Forest Rangers Franceschina, Martin, and Quinones held a Basic Wildland Search Skills course for 20 students at the Hurley Fire Department. Local volunteer firefighters and search and rescue members attended a classroom presentation focused on preparedness and search techniques. The students practiced these techniques during a mock search at a nearby park. Search volunteers often assist Rangers is search and rescue missions, and training helps ensure everyone is on the same page in the event of an actual mission. 

 

Wildland Search Skills course in Hurley (photo attached)

 

Town of Westville 

Franklin County 

Public Outreach: On March 16, Forest Ranger Lieutenant LaPierre and Ranger Odell put on a presentation about search and rescue for the American Heritage Girls. After completing a search and rescue exercise and carryout, the girls earned their search and rescue badge.

 

American Heritage Girls earn search and rescue badge (photo attached)

 

Town of Oxford  

Chenango County  

Training: On March 16, Forest Ranger Oldroyd conducted training and review of the annual burn ban. In addition to covering the burn ban, Ranger Oldroyd reviewed techniques and handling of brushfires and grass fires. Dozens of volunteer firefighters from the Greene, Oxford, Preston, and Hamilton Fire Departments participated in the training. Since 2009, DEC enforces the annual brush burning ban from March 16 through May 14 to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires. More information about the burn ban is available on the DEC website, https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2024/3/dec-reminds-new-yorkers-annual-residential-brush-burning-prohibition-starts-march-16 

 

Burn ban training (photo attached)

 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On March 17 at 12:56 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the daughter of a 57-year-old overdue hiker. The hiker’s last known location was downhill from Grace Peak, with no contact for nearly 3.5 hours. Forest Ranger Morehouse located the subject’s vehicle at the Round Pond trailhead. Rangers Martin and Morehouse hiked to the subject’s last known location and found her along the north fork of the Boquet River. Rangers helped the hiker cross the stream and return to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 1:50 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. 

 

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