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.”

Hamlet of Shokan 

Ulster County 

Public Outreach: On May 18, Forest Rangers Grillo and Kocher attended the weekly meeting for Girl Scout Troop 60059. Rangers and women from Olive EMS, Woodstock Dispatch, Woodstock Police, and Whitney Hose Fire Company served as an example of different first responder jobs held by women. The troop also explored Ranger trucks, an ambulance, and a patrol vehicle. 

Rangers Grillo and Kocher with Girl Scout Troop (photo attached)

Town of Brookhaven 

Suffolk County 

Prescribed Fire: On May 29, Forest Rangers joined DEC staff from the Divisions of Fish and Wildlife and Lands and Forests, Brookhaven National Lab, and Central Pine Barrens to conduct a controlled burn of 23 acres at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Brookhaven. 

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.

Prescribed fire in Brookhaven (two photos attached)

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On May 26 at 9:22 p.m., two hikers called Ray Brook Dispatch to report they were lost on Giant Mountain. The 19- and 21-year-olds were out of food and water, didn’t have extra layers of clothing or headlamps, and their cell phone batteries were running low. Forest Ranger Rooney spoke to the hikers on the phone and directed them to a lean-to the pair remembered seeing. Ranger Rooney instructed them to do whatever they could to stay warm until Rangers arrived. Just after 12 a.m., Rangers Ezumah and Rooney reached the subjects, provided warming layers and food, and hiked them back to their Ranger trucks. Rangers provided a courtesy ride to the subjects’ vehicle at Roaring Brook Falls. Resources were clear at 3 a.m. 

Rangers suggest packing enough food and water to last through the night just in case the unexpected happens. Extra layers and headlamps are among the 10 Hiking Essentials all hikers should bring with them. 

Town of Moreau 

Saratoga County 

Wilderness Search: On May 27 at 5:50 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing hiker in Moreau Lake State Park. The 88-year-old began hiking at the Western Ridge trailhead at 9:30 a.m. The subject is an avid hiker, but their caretaker called NYSP when the hiker did not return home by evening. Five Rangers, New York State Parks staff, and NYSP K9s and drones participated in the search. At 12:15 a.m., Ranger Morehouse located the subject in good condition just off the East Ridge trail. Rangers assisted the hiker out of the woods. Resources were clear at 2:45 a.m. 

Town of Johnsburg 

Warren County 

Wilderness Rescue: On May 28 at 4:47 p.m., Warren County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a canoer stranded on shore after their canoe sank on Thirteenth Lake. Ranger Savarie reached the 63-year-old from Delmar and helped repair the canoe before assisting them to their vehicle. 

Ranger Savarie patches hole in canoe (photo attached)

Town of Watson 

Lewis County 

Wilderness Recovery: On May 29 at 11:15 a.m., Rangers Evans and Lee responded to a report of a deceased subject off Adsit Road in the Croghan Tract Conservation Easement. The 74-year-old from Lowville was last seen the previous evening when they headed to their camp near the easement. The subject’s family was concerned and drove to the camp. They followed ATV tracks leading to the easement and found the subject deceased. Rangers worked with the Croghan Fire Department, Lewis County Search and Rescue, New York State Police, and DEC’s Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation to transport the subject on a Ranger UTV to the Lewis County Medical Examiner. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers condolences to the family. 
 

Town of Webb 

Herkimer County 

Wilderness Rescue: On May 30 at 4:54 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Ranger Pelrah to help a hiker in the Black River Wild Forest. A hiking group walked the Nicks Lake loop trail towards Remsen Falls when one of the hikers was too exhausted to continue back to the campground. Ranger Pelrah was joined by Lieutenant Bills, Rangers Piersma and Waligory, the Eagle Bay and Old Forge Fire Departments, Webb Police, and New York State Police. At 6:23 p.m., rescuers reached the 52-year-old from Utica, provided food and water, and used a litter to transport them to an ATV which continued to an Old Forge Ambulance at the Bisby Road trailhead. Resources were clear at 8:16 p.m. 

Webb rescue (photo attached)

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On May 30 at 5:43 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Ranger Odell about a hiker who dislocated their knee when they slipped in the mud on Tabletop Mountain. Ten Rangers responded. The hiker and hiking partner had wilderness first aid training and tried splinting the leg with their trekking poles. At 11:20 p.m., Rangers reached the 41-year-old from Brooklyn, re-splinted the leg, and packaged them for a carryout using a wheeled litter when possible, and backpack carriers when they needed them. Rangers carried the subject 2.5 miles to the Marcy Dam Outpost and then transported them via UTV to Adirondak Loj. The subject decided to seek medical attention on their own. Resources were clear at 2:30 a.m. 

An interview with Forest Ranger Gary Miller is available to download, https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/RangerGaryMillerInterviewonTabletopRescue.mp4

Tabletop Mountain rescue (three photos attached)

Town of Hardenburgh 

Ulster County 

Wilderness Search: On May 30 at 8:11 p.m., Forest Rangers Horn and Sweeney responded to a call for an overdue hiker in Balsam Lake Wild Forest. The 50-year-old split up from their hiking partner and may have hiked up Balsam Lake Mountain by mistake. At 8:53 p.m., Rangers located the subject in good health at the Alder Lake lean-to. The hiker planned to camp overnight with the hiking partner. Resources were clear at 9:24 p.m.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “Hike Smart NY,” “

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.