Recent Statewide Forest Ranger Actions
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 the first half of 2025, Rangers conducted 139 search and rescue missions, extinguished 82 wildfires covering nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires that rejuvenated 1,514 acres of land. 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, Rangers are always ready when emergencies strike,” DEC 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.”
Village of Naples
Ontario County
Public Outreach: On December 4, Forest Ranger Dormer spoke to third graders at Naples Elementary School. Ranger Dormer spoke about the job of a Ranger and showed the tools used for fighting wildfires and performing rescues. Ranger Dormer also answered many questions from the students.
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Town of Bath
Stueben County
Public Outreach: On December 10, law enforcement, including Environmental Conservation Police Officers, the Hammondsport Police Department, and Forest Ranger Captain Wickens, Lieutenant Carpenter, and Ranger Raffaldi-Smith, participated in the “Shop with a Cop” event for children in domestic violence shelters. Law enforcement personnel accompanied the children to multiple stores to pick out gifts for themselves and their families. Santa Claus also made an appearance.
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Town of Crown Point
Essex County
Ice Rescue: On December 10 at 6:25 p.m., the Essex County Sheriff’s Office requested Forest Ranger assistance with an ice rescue on Lake Champlain. A 33-year-old from Montreal was living on a moored sailboat. The cold weather caused ice to form, locking the boat in place more than a mile from shore. Rangers Perryman, Quinn, and Thompson used an airboat and broke the ice on the way to create a path to the sailboat. Rangers helped the subject onto the airboat and transported them to shore. Resources were clear at 10 p.m.
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Town of Fine
Lawrence County
Wilderness Recovery: On December 11 at 1:04 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for a missing subject who may have entered the property of the SUNY ESF Ranger School. The 41-year-old from Star Lake was involved in a one-car accident on Route 3 two days earlier. When NYSP arrived, the car was unoccupied. Rangers, NYSP, the Star Lake Fire Department, and the Cranberry Lake Fire Department all participated in the search. At 4:17 p.m., a search team led by Ranger Shea found the subject’s windbreaker and then located the subject deceased on school property. Rangers turned him over to the County Coroner. Resources were clear at 7:15 p.m. NYSP is handling the investigation.
Town of Shandaken
Ulster County
Wilderness Rescue: On December 13 at 5:44 p.m., Ulster County 911 received an SOS message from a subject with an unstable lower leg injury on Panther Mountain. Forest Rangers Franceschina and Horn responded shortly after the Phoenicia Volunteer Fire Department. The firefighters had already packaged the 20-year-old from New Jersey and began walking down the trail. Moments before Rangers arrived, one of the rescuers, the Fire Commissioner Michael Ryan, had a medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest. Rangers immediately began CPR. Due to the steep and technical terrain, Rangers, firefighters, and Shandaken Police quickly extracted the Commissioner down the trail to meet Shandaken paramedics, who used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Paramedics continued using the AED while rescuers carried him to an ambulance. The rescuer passed away at Margaretville Hospital.
Ranger Horn remained with the original subject, splinted the ankle and created a hypo wrap while waiting for Rangers Pries and Rusher. Rangers and Phoenicia and Olive volunteer firefighters belayed the subject down a steep section of the trail and transferred them to an ambulance, which transported them to the hospital. Resources were clear of the scene at 8:30 p.m. They remained at the hospital until 12:15 a.m.
STATEMENT FROM DEC COMMISSIONER AMANDA LEFTON
I join our DEC Forest Rangers and the entire State of New York in mourning the loss of Phoenicia Fire District Commissioner and Firefighter Michael Ryan.
A proven hero, Firefighter Ryan responded to a call on December 13 to assist DEC Forest Rangers in a hiker rescue on the Fox Hollow Trail in the Town of Shandaken, Ulster County, and suffered a significant medical emergency during the response. Local, volunteer-led fire departments provide substantial support to DEC Forest Rangers in the noble work to protect public safety. Firefighter Ryan exemplified leadership in his role in protecting his community and his partnership with DEC. We offer our heartfelt sympathies and gratitude to Firefighter Ryan’s family, fellow firefighters, community, and all who loved him.
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Hamlet of Deer Park
Suffolk County
Wilderness Rescue: On December 14 at 9:30 a.m., Forest Ranger Scott responded to a call for a mountain biker with a broken ankle at Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve. The Deer Park Fire Department and local EMS were the first on scene. Other mountain bikers had already found the injured person, wrapped them in coats, and found the shortest way to evacuate. Ranger Scott and the other rescuers moved the patient to a sled and pulled the patient to the fire department UTV. The UTV transported the biker to an ambulance.
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DEC Division of Forest Protection Job Opening
DEC is now hiring for a seasonal radio dispatcher position in Ray Brook, Essex County. Details and information on how to apply by December 19 are available at https://statejobs.ny.gov/public/vacancyDetailsView.cfm?id=203338
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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??
