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 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.

“Whether they are leading complex search and rescue incidents, suppressing wildfires, enforcing laws on State lands and easements, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, or encouraging responsible recreation, Forest Rangers stand ready to help when called,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “Forest Rangers’ wide-ranging expertise and collaboration with local, State, and federal partners are instrumental in protecting New York’s public lands and the many visitors who use them.”

Town of Western 

Oneida County 

Law Enforcement: On June 11, at 12:37 p.m., while inspecting a campsite at Buck Hill State Forest, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Hoag and Ranger Piersma encountered a subject with an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the town of New Hartford. The 35-year-old was wanted on a grand larceny charge. Rangers took the subject into custody without incident and transported them to the New Hartford Police Department. 

Town of North Elba 
Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On June 12, at 11:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker at Adirondak Loj stating he had become separated from his hiking partner above the Slant Rock junction descending from Mount Marcy. The following day, 19 Forest Rangers joined the search efforts. The Marcy Dam and John’s Brook caretakers checked registers and the immediate areas near the outposts. New York State Police Aviation assisted in the search of drainages and trails. At 6 p.m., two hikers observed the 68-year-old from Amsterdam approaching the trail from the John’s Brook drainage and assisted the subject to the lodge. Rangers helped the subject back to the south side trail and then to Smith Way.

Search for missing hiker above Slant Rock junction (photo attached)

City of Albany 

Albany County 

Prescribed Fires: Over two days, Rangers, along with staff and volunteers from DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests, Albany Pine Bush, State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted two prescribed fires in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. 

On June 12, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Mitchell and Ranger Peterson assisted the team to conduct a prescribed fire on 10 acres in the preserve, and the following day, Forest Ranger Laymon assisted the team to conduct a prescribed fire on 16 acres in a different area in the preserve. 

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 also 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. 

Albany Pine Bush prescribed fire June 12 crew (photo attached)

Prescribed fire at Albany Pine Bush June 12 (photo attached)

Albany Pine Bush prescribed fire June 13 crew (photo attached)

Prescribed fire at Albany Pine Bush June 13 (photo attached)

Village of Fort Ann 

Washington County 

Wilderness Rescue: On June 13, at 11:55 a.m., Washington County Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker with an ankle injury on Buck Mountain. Four Rangers responded with West Fort Ann Fire Department, splinted the hiker’s lower leg, and packaged her into a wheeled litter. Rescuers transported the 42-year-old from Rensselaer County approximately one mile to the Buck Mountain trailhead on Shelving Rock Road where they were met by an ambulance that took her to the hospital. Resources were clear at 3:15 p.m. 

Buck Mountain rescue (photo attached)

Town of Black Brook 

Clinton County 

Boating Rescue: On June 13, at 6 p.m., Acting Forest Ranger Captain Booth responded to Taylor Pond for a report of two stranded kayakers. The 76-year-old from Jay and 60-year-old from Au Sable Forks were unable to paddle against the wind so they paddled to the nearest shoreline and called for help. An angler offered to take Acting Captain Booth on his boat to help the kayakers. They reached the kayakers, helped them into the boat, retrieved the kayaks, and offboarded them safely at the Taylor Pond campground. Resources were clear at 8:05 p.m.  

Village of Boonville 

Oneida County 

Wilderness Recovery: On June 14, at 8:22 a.m., six Forest Rangers responded to a search for a missing angler in the vicinity of the Black River. New York State Police (NYSP) used K9, aviation, drone, airboat, and road patrol resources. Boonville Search and Rescue assisted with efforts on the ground. At 12:12 p.m., crews encountered a witness who reported seeing the 82-year-old fishing the night before on a tributary to the main river. Search crews moved to that area. At 1:08 p.m., NYSP crews found the angler deceased along a trail leading from the river back to the road. Rangers used a wheeled litter to transport the subject to a Boonville Ambulance. Resources were clear at 3:29 p.m. 

Town of Arietta 

Hamilton County 

Wilderness Recovery: On June 14, at 9:25 p.m., Hamilton County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a despondent subject in the area of Good Luck Lake. New York State Police (NYSP) and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department continued searching with Rangers at 7 a.m. At 7:50 a.m., crews located the subject deceased. Rangers carried out the subject to the Hamilton County Coroner. NYSP is leading the investigation. 

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

Town of Andes 

Delaware County 

Wilderness Search: On June 15 at 11 p.m., Delaware County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for two ATV riders who did not return to their camping group. The 

Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, Andes Fire Department, Beaverkill Valley Fire Department, and the Delaware County Technical Rescue Team all assisted in the search until 4 a.m., with plans to resume the next day. At 6:30 a.m., the ATV riders returned in good health. The 55-year-old from Pomona and 45-year-old from New City had lost the trail, built a fire to stay warm through the night, and found the trail when daylight returned.  

Town of Westville 

Franklin County 

Law Enforcement: On June 15, at 8 p.m., Franklin County Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for enforcement of a debris fire that escaped containment. Forest Ranger Odell found the subjects burning debris, including pieces of a camper. In addition to the illegal debris burning, the subjects did not clear the area three feet around the debris pile. Ranger Odell issued one ticket.

Illegal debris burning in Westville (photo 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