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.”  

Village of Lancaster 

Erie County 

Public Outreach: On Nov. 30, Forest Ranger Sprague participated in the annual Lancaster Christmas firetruck parade. More than 100 vehicles were on display. 

Forest Ranger fire truck at Lancaster Christmas fire truck parade (photo attached)

Hamlet of Ransomville 

Niagara County 

Public Outreach: On Dec. 1, Forest Rangers Robitaille and Sprague participated in the Ransomville Christmas parade. Smokey Bear also joined the festivities.

Rangers Sprague and Robitaille at Ransomville Christmas parade with Smokey Bear (photo attached)

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On Dec. 1 at 2:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from New York State Police (NYSP) for an overdue hiker on Allen Mountain. The caller reported his son Leo DuFour was hiking on Friday and expected back Saturday night. NYSP located the subject’s car at the Mt. Adams trailhead, covered in snow. Forest Rangers led search efforts, with 59 Forest Rangers searching nearly 400 miles, primarily by foot, of rugged mountain terrain deep in harsh winter weather conditions. Rangers located one set of tracks on the trail leading from the subject’s vehicle, but recent snowfall hampered tracking. NYSP Aviation utilized two helicopters to transport crews, drop off supplies, and conduct aerial searching as weather conditions allowed. 

After more than eight days of an active search and despite continuous efforts using cell phone data analysis and the expertise of Allen Mountain hikers, Rangers have not located the subject. Given the harsh conditions, the search mission to locate DuFour transitioned to a recovery mission. The operation will upgrade to an active search if any leads regarding DuFour’s whereabouts are realized.  

Searchers utilized technical equipment, temporary basecamps, and extreme physical output to complete effective searches of tight drainages, thick forest cover, ledges and cliff bands, and swampy lowlands at elevations of more than 4,000 feet. The weather this week is expected to dip below zero, and with wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour, the windchill at the summit is expected to be -20.  

Due to the treacherous conditions--dangerous terrain, up to four feet of snow, whiteouts, and windchills below zero--it is no longer safe for anyone to continue searching using the methods and strategies in place since Dec. 1. Search efforts going forward will be based on thorough risk analysis to put effective searchers into high probability, unsearched areas to support Rangers’ sustained commitment to bring Leo DuFour home. At this time, individuals should not attempt searching Allen Mountain. 

Allen Mountain search (three photos attached)

City of Albany 

Albany County 

Awards: On Dec. 2, an award ceremony was held for Forest Rangers during the 24th Basic School for New York State Forest Rangers graduation ceremony. Ranger Scott received the Colonel William F. Fox Award for carrying out the duties of a New York State Forest Ranger in an outstanding manner, displaying the attributes of persistence, integrity, good judgement, devotion to duty, and loyalty to the Division of Forest Protection. Lt. Kerr and Rangers Laymon, Quinn, and Rusher received the Raymond Murray Award for committing a conspicuous act of valor, courage, integrity, resourcefulness, and bravery in the protection of our natural resources or public safety. The Colonel William F. Fox Citizens Award was presented to the Keene and Keene Valley Fire Departments for their extraordinary assistance to the Ranger force in carrying out its mission.

 
Lt. Kerr receives the Raymond Murray Award (photo attached)

Ranger Rusher receives the Raymond Murray Award (photo attached)

Ranger Laymon receives the Raymond Murray Award (photo attached)

Keene and Keene Valley Fire Departments receive William F. Fox Citizen Award (photo attached)

Town of Bleecker 

Fulton County 

Wilderness Search: On Dec. 2 at 5:35 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a lost hiker in the Shaker Mountain Wild Forest. The coordinates placed the subject one-half mile off trail in the area of County Line Lake. At 8:20 p.m., Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kerr and Rangers Hamm and O’Connell located the 27-year-old from Little Falls and hiked him back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 10:35 p.m. 

Hamlet of Lake Huntington 

Sullivan County 

Public Outreach: On Dec. 4, Forest Rangers Kocher and Schweider attended a job fair at Ranger Kocher’s alma mater, Sullivan West High School. Rangers spoke to students about the duties and requirements of the Forest Ranger job. Rangers showed gear used in technical rope rescues and hoist missions.

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Rangers Schweider and Kocher at Sullivan West High School job fair (photo attached)

Town of Naples 

Ontario County 

Public Outreach: On Dec. 6, Forest Ranger Dormer talked to third graders at Naples Central School. The students researched the recent Jennings Creek wildfire and asked great questions about wildland firefighting. Ranger Dormer explained what goes into an incident like the Jennings Creek fire and how Rangers often serve as first responders and stand up Incident Command.

Ranger Dormer with 3rd grade students (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