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 162 wildfires covering more than 1,300 acres, participated in 53 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."

Hamlet of Poestenkill
Rensselaer County
Wildland Fire: Among the numerous wildfires Forest Rangers have responded to in recent weeks, on May 30 at 3:40 p.m., Forest Ranger Jackson responded to a wildfire in Poestenkill. Ranger Jackson found multiple log piles on fire producing extreme heat and 40 foot flames. No structures were threatened. By 6 p.m., the efforts of seven fire departments had contained the 1.6-acre fire. The fire was the result of a bonfire not fully extinguished nor in a proper fire pit. Ranger Jackson issued one ticket for failing to clear flammable material around a fire.

Wildfire in Poestenkill (three photos attached)

Rescue at Kaaterskill Falls (photo attached)

Town of Hadley
Saratoga County
Wildland Fire: On June 1 at 4:14, p.m., Forest Ranger Nahor discovered a wildfire on North Shore Road in Hadley. By 10:30 p.m., four Rangers had the fire 50 percent contained. The following night at 8:10 p.m., Rangers declared the 3.5-acre fire fully contained. Due to the dry weather, the fire continues to burn, producing significant smoke and three Rangers continue putting out hot spots.

Wildfire in Hadley (photo attached)

Town of Chazy
Clinton County
Wildland Fire: On June 1 at 1:57 p.m., Forest Rangers Booth and Bronson responded to a fire on Sheldon Lane in Chazy. The 1.3-acre fire started with debris burning. Rangers issued two tickets to the 68-year-old landowner for burning debris without clearing three feet around the base of the fire and setting forestland on fire. The fire was declared out at 2:45 p.m. on June 3.

Wildfire in Chazy (two photos attached)

Search in Blenheim (photo attached)

Town of Hancock
Delaware County
Wildland Fire: On June 1 at 4:33 p.m., Delaware County requested Forest Ranger assistance with a wildfire near State Route 268 in Hancock. Ranger Ellis arrived approximately an hour later and joined multiple fire departments in assessing the six-acre fire. Rangers Bink, France, and Seeley also responded. By 8:05 p.m., fire crews had the fire contained; due to some hotspots, the fire remains in patrol status.

Wildfire in Hancock (two photos attached)

Training in Plattsburgh (two photos attached)

Wildland fire in Garrison (photo attached)

Town of Johnsburg
Warren County
Wildland Fire: On June 2 at 9:26 p.m., Warren County requested Forest Ranger assistance with a wildfire on Waddell Road in Johnsburg. Five Rangers responded to the 11-acre fire at DEC’s Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest and adjacent private land. Due to the steep terrain, Rangers employed an indirect attack and burnout operations to mitigate threats to the containment line. On June 5 at 4:48 p.m., the fire was fully contained. The cause of the fire is believed to be a lightning strike.

Wildfire in Johnsburg (two photos attached)

Basic Wildland Search Course in Hyde Park (two photos attached)

Ranger Sweeney at “Touch A Truck” event (photo attached)

Town of Wayland
Steuben County
Public Outreach: On June 5, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Wickens and Forest Ranger Carpenter attended Wayland Cohocton Central School’s, “Safety Before Summer” event. The event was organized by the Parent Teacher Student Organization and featured EMS, volunteer fire departments, Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, the Red Cross, and DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers. In front of a Type 6 fire engine, Ranger Carpenter discussed the importance of fire safety, the Forest Ranger’s role, and compared Ranger equipment to the equipment used by traditional firefighters.

Ranger Carpenter at Safety Before Summer event (two photos attached)

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