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 2025, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 202 wildfires covering 840 acres, participated in 68 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,649 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,100 tickets and arrests. Also in 2025, 41 Forest Rangers were deployed to fire assignments in 10 different states.

“Our Forest Rangers are elite law enforcement leaders who put their lives on the line when they respond to a search and rescue, wildland fire, or State land violation,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “We’re fortunate to have them patrolling State lands and keeping people safe. Their expertise and professionalism are valuable assets, not only in New York, but around the country wherever emergencies arise.”

Town of Newcomb 

Essex County 

Forest Ranger Academy: On March 15, DEC opened the 25^th Basic School for Forest Rangers for the newest class of Ranger recruits at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) on the Huntington Forest campus. During the first two weeks of the 28-week basic training academy, recruits completed training in physical fitness and wellness, introduction to law, cultural diversity, basic computer skills, and general academy orientation. On April 2 at the Adirondack Interpretive Center, 17 recruits took their oath of office before DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, Acting Deputy Commissioner and Director of Forest Protection Melinda Seiden, and other honored guests.

Forest Rangers swearing in ceremony (photo attached)

Towns of Milan and Smithville 

Dutchess and Chenango Counties 

Prescribed Fires: On March 30, Forest Rangers joined staff from DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests to conduct a controlled burn of 30 acres near Tarbell Road in Smithville. The goal of this burn was to maintain grassland habitat, promote regrowth of cool-season grasses, and encourage expansion of any warm-season grasses and wildflowers to reduce invasive species. 

Also on March 30, 10 Rangers joined DEC staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Operations, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Milan Fire Department, and Albany Pine Bush staff to conduct a controlled burn of 57 acres at Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area in Milan. 

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 and responsibly implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.  

DEC recently announced the beginning of prescribed fire season.

Smithville prescribed burn (three photos attached)

Milan prescribed burn (photo attached)

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Wilderness Search: On March 31 at 1:15 a.m., Greene County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance to search for two overdue hikers. The reporting party last spoke to the pair on March 30 at 4:30 p.m. Rangers Fox and Peterson located the subjects’ vehicle at a parking lot on Platte Clove Road. At 4 a.m., Rangers located the hikers in good condition at the Echo Lake lean-to. There was a miscommunication between the hikers and the reporting party about the trip duration. The hikers decided to pack up and hike out with the Rangers and resources were clear at 8:30 a.m. 

Hikers found in Hunter (photo attached)

Town of Owego 

Tioga County 

Training: On April 1, Forest Ranger Oldroyd led airboat training for 12 Rangers on the Susquehanna River. The training is vital for flood responses. 

Airboat training (two photos attached)

Town of Hoosick 

Rensselaer County 

Water Rescue: On April 4, at 3:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Jackson responded to a call for a  

16-year-old who jumped from a train trestle into the Hoosick River near Mechanic Street. At 3:48 p.m., Ranger Jackson met Hoosick Falls Fire and Hoosick Falls Police at the scene. The subject was clinging to a rock just upstream from a waterfall. Ranger Jackson and New York State Police donned rescue gear and entered the water to rescue the teenager, who also had a lower leg injury. Once on shore, rescuers warmed the subject and determined the safest way to complete the rescue was using a ladder truck, ropes and straps, and a litter. They successfully raised the subject up and over a retaining wall to an awaiting ambulance, which transported them to Albany Medical Center. Resources were clear at 5:10 p.m.

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

Water rescue in Hoosick (photo attached)

Town of Shandaken 

Ulster County 

Wilderness Rescue: On April 5 at 10:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker requesting Forest Ranger assistance due to exhaustion on the Slide-Cornell-Wittenberg Trail. The 37-year-old from Rego Park originally planned to hike the “Catskill 9.” The subject underestimated the difficulty of the hike, which was more challenging due to heavy rain and fog. After camping the night, the hiker decided to skip Cornell and Wittenberg Mountains and planned to hike over Slide Mountain back to the Denning Road trailhead. While making that hike, the subject decided they couldn’t continue and called for help. Ranger Horn made contact with the hiker and encouraged them to drink water and head towards the Slide Mountain trailhead. Ranger Franke and Horn hiked in and met the hiker on the trail, provided hot tea and food, and assisted them to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 1:45 p.m. 

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “Hike Smart NY,” “Adirondack Backcountry,” and “Catskill Backcountry Information” webpages for more information.