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.

As of July 1, Rangers have conducted 139 search and rescue missions in 2025, extinguished 82 wildfires covering nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires that rejuvenated 1,514 acres of land to date. 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 burning out of control, 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.”

Town of Lake Luzerne 

Warren County 

Wildland Fire: On Aug. 25 at 9:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Donegan, Morehouse, and Thompson assisted the Corinth and Lake Luzerne Fire Departments with locating a wildland fire reported at the Hudson River Special Management Area. Firefighters worked into the night on suppression and containment efforts. The following morning, seven Rangers joined other firefighters and achieved 50 percent containment on the two-acre fire in Eddy Swamp. On Aug. 27 at 6:40 p.m., firefighters fully contained the fire and determined it started from a lightning strike the week prior. Video of the fire is available to download: https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/Eddy_Swamp_Fire.mp4

Lake Luzerne fire (three photos attached)

Town of Peru 

Clinton County 

Law Enforcement:  On Aug 26 at 5:45 p.m., an off-duty Environmental Conservation Police Officer received a call about a subject who had taken a shot at a blue heron at Ausable Point Campground. Forest Ranger Praczkajlo responded and issued tickets to the 33-year-old subject from Hudson Falls for disorderly conduct, disturbing wildlife, and possessing and discharging a firearm in a campground. The heron was not found. DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement will work with the Division of Forest Protection in the ongoing investigation. 

Town of Guilderland 

Albany County 

Prescribed Burn: On Aug. 27, Forest Rangers and additional DEC and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted a prescribed burn on 13.6 acres of 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. 

Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (photo attached)

Town of Shandaken 

Ulster County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 29 at 5 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a 911 satellite text via Ulster County from a hiker reporting a group of four was lost near Giant Ledge in the Slide Mountain Wilderness. The original caller admitted the group had consumed mushrooms and one of them was experiencing a debilitating high. At 6:45 p.m., Forest Rangers Franceschina, Jeffery, and Martin located the group of hikers. Rangers and the Pine Hill Fire Department assisted the subjects to the trailhead where they were evaluated by Shandaken Ambulance. Somewhere along the way, the hikers also lost their car keys. Rangers provided a courtesy ride to the subjects’ rental lodging. The following day, Ranger Martin hiked back up and found a sling bag with the keys under a log in tall ferns.

Giant Ledge rescue (photo attached)

Town of Long Lake 

Hamilton County 

Wilderness Search: On Aug. 29 at 8:20 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Hamilton County 911 about three lost hikers in the John Dillon Park area. The trio, ages nine, 50, and 55, had no light source and a very low cellphone battery. At 10 p.m., Forest Ranger Nahor reached the subjects and provided a ride to their vehicle at the park. 

Town of Stephentown 

Rensselaer County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 30 at 4:15 p.m., Forest Ranger Jackson responded to assist New York State Police in the search for an 89-year-old with dementia. The subject was last seen on a home security camera at 1 p.m. At 6:20 p.m., search crews located the subject near the residence down an embankment in thick brush, but uninjured. Responders assisted the patient back to their residence where they were met by an ambulance.  

Town of North Elba 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 30 at 8:40 p.m., Forest Ranger R. Praczkajlo responded to a call for three hikers on McKenzie Mountain without any light source. Ranger Praczkajlo reached the unprepared group, provided headlamps, and escorted them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 10:20 p.m.  

Town of Chesterfield 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 31 at 11:30 a.m., Forest Rangers Bode and Holdridge responded to a call for a hiker who collapsed while hiking Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain. At 1 p.m., Rangers reached the 30-year-old from Plattsburgh who was conscious, breathing, and able to walk. Rangers ensured the hiker made it to the trailhead. The subject refused further medical assistance.  

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Wilderness Search: On Aug. 31 at 1:15 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a missing 14-year-old at Kaaterskill Falls. The subject had last been seen at the lower falls an hour earlier. At 2 p.m., Assistant Forest Ranger Massa located the subject one and a half miles from the falls, in good health. Ranger Allwine reunited the teenager with their family and resources were clear at 2:30 p.m. 

Town of North Elba 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 1 at 10:33 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker reporting they were lost in the woods. Dispatch directed the hiker to call 911 so they could obtain coordinates. Coordinates placed the 69-year-old from Camillus in the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness. At 12:05 a.m., Forest Rangers Corey and Foutch reached the subject and assisted them to the trailhead where they were met by Lake Placid Ambulance. The ambulance transported the patient to the hospital for evaluation. 

Becoming A Forest Ranger: Those interested in future opportunities to become a Forest Ranger are encouraged to apply by Sept. 17 to take the next Civil Service exam scheduled this fall. The exam is a multiple-choice test. All candidates who are qualified to take the entry-level law enforcement exam will receive an admission notice via mail approximately two weeks prior to the date of the written test with additional details. Visit the Civil Service website to learn more. 

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.