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 2022, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 359 search and rescue missions, extinguished 163 wildfires covering more than 1,300 acres, participated in 54 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate nearly 900 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.     

“With more people visiting State lands and enjoying New York's myriad, world-class outdoor recreational opportunities, DEC’s Forest Rangers are on the front lines to help visitors get outside responsibly and get home safely,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Each day, these highly trained first responders are protecting irreplaceable natural resources and utilizing their expert knowledge of wildland fire suppression, wilderness first aid, land navigation, law enforcement, and technical rescue techniques to successfully execute critical missions for DEC and our countless local, state, and national partners.”   

Town of Colonie 

Albany County 

Training: On Nov. 2, Forest Rangers participated in an annual hoist training led by Ranger Gullen in conjunction with New York State Police (NYSP) pilots and other staff from the State Police Aviation Unit. The training was held at the NYSP Aviation hangar in the town of Colonie. Several of the participants were training for the position of Crew Chief to serve on remote backcountry search, rescue, and wildfire response missions. 

Forest Rangers at Hoist Training (photo attached)

Rangers Carabetta and Cowart during hoist training exercises (photo attached)

Town of Long Lake 

Hamilton County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Nov. 2, at 9:25 p.m., Ranger Milano responded to the Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract to help extract a camper who reported they were wet, cold, and unable to start a fire. Ranger Milano assisted the camper out of the woods, where they declined medical attention. Resources were clear at 11:10 p.m. 

Town of Vienna 

Oneida County 

Brush Fire Response: On Nov. 3, at 11:46 p.m., Ray Brook Central Dispatch received a call from Oneida County 911 requesting Forest Ranger assistance for a structure fire that escaped and spread into nearby brush. The fire destroyed a shed and burned one quarter of an acre before it was under control and extinguished. An investigation is ongoing.  

Hamlet of Claryville 

Ulster County 

Public Outreach: On Nov. 4, Forest Ranger Kreft spoke to a group of 11 Girl Scouts from Troop #10357 from East Fishkill at the Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville. Ranger Kreft spoke to the troop of 4th graders about the job of Forest Ranger and inspired them with a firsthand account of a recent rescue that involved Rangers taken by helicopter to Wittenberg Mountain to hoist an injured subject. More than half of the Girl Scouts reported interest in becoming a Forest Ranger after listening to Ranger Kreft’s presentation. 

Ranger Kreft with Troop #10357 in Ulster County (photo attached)

Town of Erwin 

Steuben County 

Wilderness Search: On Nov. 5, at 2:45 p.m., Forest Ranger Staples responded to the town of Erwin for a report of a missing 50-year-old female believed to be despondent. Rangers joined responders from New York State Police and Steuben County Sheriff’s Office and completed linear searches of the area until dark. On Monday, Nov. 6 at 6:50 a.m., resources were cleared when it was reported the subject had returned to her home in safe condition.  

Town of Colonie 

Albany County 

Prescribed Fire: On Nov. 6, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Mitchell and Rangers Jackson, Horn, and Rusher joined Albany Pine Bush Preserve staff to conduct a prescribed fire near the intersection of Kings and Morris roads in the town of Colonie. Approximately seven acres were burned. Prescribed fires help prevent the spread of invasive species and reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.

Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (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