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 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 Acting 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.” 

 

Albany, Jefferson, Livingston, Onondaga, Steuben, and Suffolk Counties  

Prescribed Burns: 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. The following burns were recently conducted: 

• On April 14, Forest Rangers and additional DEC and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted a prescribed burn on more than 22 acres of the Albany Pine Bush.
  

• On April 14, Forest Rangers and staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife conducted a prescribed burn in Jefferson County on more than 37 acres in the Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area in Lyme. Video from the Ashland Flats burn is available on DEC’s YouTube channel;
  

• On April 14 and 17, Forest Rangers and staff from DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife conducted prescribed burns in Onondaga County on almost 155 acres on Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area in Lysander; 
  

• On April 14, Forest Rangers and staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife conducted a prescribed burn in Steuben County on more than 14 acres on Cameron State Forest in Cameron;
  

• On April 14, 17, and 18, Forest Rangers, Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, Brookhaven National Lab, Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, and The Nature Conservancy staff conducted prescribed burns in Suffolk County on more than 57 acres on the Otis Pike Pine Barrens in Riverhead; and
  

• On April 17, Forest Rangers, staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, Fire Wardens, and volunteers conducted a prescribed burn in Livingston County on nearly 81 acres on Sonyea State Forest in Groveland.
  

The eastern portion of the state remains in “high” danger status. The current fire danger map is available on DEC’s website. 

 

Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area prescribed burn (Onondaga County) (photo attached)

 

Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area prescribed burn (Jefferson County) (photo attached)

 

Ranger Ellis at Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area prescribed burn (Jefferson County) (photo attached)

 

Sonyea State Forest prescribed burn (Livingston County) (photo attached)

 

Otis Pike Pine Barrens prescribed burn (Suffolk County) (two photos attached)

 

Otis Pike Pine Barrens prescribed burn crew (photo attached)

 

Town of Webb 

Herkimer County 

Water Rescue: On April 13 at 2:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Herkimer County 911 about two kayakers on Stillwater Reservoir who were unable to paddle back to the boat launch due to strong winds. At 4:11 p.m., Forest Ranger Lee responded by boat, located the 42- and 55-year-olds from Herkimer, and transported the pair back to their vehicle. 

 

Albany, Clinton, Greene, Herkimer, Orange, Putnam, Saratoga, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington Counties 

Wildland Fires: Between April 14 and 21, Forest Rangers and local fire departments responded to fires in 10 counties across New York State. The fires burned more than 37 acres of land. The largest was a fire in Putnam Valley, Putnam County, measuring 21 acres, which started on April 18 and was contained the same day. Four of the 11 fires were caused by debris burning and Rangers issued multiple tickets. DEC reminds New Yorkers that the statewide brush burning ban is in effect until May 14. Violators of the ban are subject to a minimum fine of $500.

 

 

Putnam Valley fire (two photos attached)

 

Fulton fire (photo attached)

 

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Wilderness Search: On April 17 at 3:55 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch contacted Forest Ranger Peterson about a lost hiker on the Mink Hollow trail of Sugarloaf Mountain. The Dispatcher guided the hiker back to the trail but remained concerned. Ranger Peterson called the 61-year-old from New York City who told the Ranger he was in good health and planned to continue hiking. When Ranger Peterson learned the subject did not have a map and was unfamiliar with the area, the Ranger suggested the hiker turn around and head back to his vehicle. The hiker refused and said he would call back if he got lost. At 5:02 p.m., the hiker called Ranger Peterson to report he was lost again. At 6 p.m., Rangers Fox and Peterson located the subject and assisted him down the trail to his vehicle. 

 

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 18 at 5:15 p.m., four Forest Rangers responded to a report of a hiker with an ankle injury in the area of the Devil’s Acre lean-to on Hunter Mountain. Rangers reached the 45-year-old from New Jersey at 8:30 p.m. Rangers and members of the Lexington and Prattsville Fire Departments used a wheeled litter over the icy terrain to return the hiker to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 3:45 a.m. 

 

Hunter Mountain rescue (photo attached)

  

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Wilderness Search: On April 19 at 5 p.m., Forest Rangers Commerford, Fox, and Peterson responded to a call from a hiker reporting he was lost on the south side of Twin Mountain. Ray Brook Dispatch provided coordinates and Rangers reached the 23-year-old from Brooklyn and assisted him back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 9:30 p.m. 

 

Town of Wilmington 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 19 at 6:14 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers looking for assistance getting down from the top of Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. The two 19-year-olds from Quebec were not prepared for the cold and rainy conditions on the trail. At 6:52 p.m., Forest Rangers Curcio and Foutch reached the hikers on the road. Their clothes were soaked through, and if further subjected to the cold, the pair would likely have suffered from hypothermia. Rangers provided warm clothes and transported the hikers to their vehicle. Resources were clear by 7:50 p.m. 

 

To avoid similar issues, hikers are encouraged to check the weather before a hike, wear insulating layers, and bring traction devices when icy conditions are possible. 

 

Town of Newcomb 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On April 21 at 2 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from New York State Police about a GPS beacon initiated by a lost hiker. Coordinates placed the hiker off the Santanoni Express trail near the junction with the Bradley Pond trail. At 5:05 a.m., Forest Ranger Martin located the 36-year-old from Brockport and 41-year-old from Fairport and escorted the hikers back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 7:50 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