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 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.

“DEC Forest Rangers are among the nation’s most versatile first responders, utilizing their expert training and wide-ranging knowledge to protect natural resources while encouraging responsible stewardship among those who visit State lands and sites, “ said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “ Their expertise in wildland fire suppression, technical rescue techniques, and law enforcement mean that Rangers are always prepared to successfully execute critical missions, here in New York State, as well as across the continent.”

Town of Owego 

Tioga County 

Water Recovery: On Dec. 20 at 5 p.m., Forest Ranger Lieutenant Virkler received a call from Owego Police seeking Ranger assistance in the search for a suicidal subject who had jumped into the Susquehanna River two days earlier. The following morning, Forest Rangers launched an air boat from Hickories Park boat launch and met a New York State Police (NYSP) airboat near the Millenium Bridge, where the subject was last seen. At 11:55 a.m., the NYSP airboat crew found the 44-year-old subject deceased on the north side of the river. The subject was turned over to Owego Police. 

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. 

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Town of Rochester 

Ulster County 

Wilderness Recovery: On Dec. 22 at 1:15 p.m., Forest Ranger Rusher overheard a 911 call for a hiker who had fallen approximately 80 feet at Minnewaska State Park. The 39-year-old from Singapore was severely injured, but conscious when State Parks staff reached her. Ranger Rusher was joined by Lieutenant Slade and three additional Forest Rangers. Due to the severity of the injuries and complexity of the terrain, Rangers requested a New York State Police (NYSP) helicopter for a hoist mission. While moving the hiker to the extraction point, her vitals crashed, and State Parks staff began CPR. At 3:10 p.m., the victim was successfully hoisted by Ranger Cowart and Pilots Bernardini and Leeder. She was transferred to an ambulance that took her to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased. An initial NYSP investigation indicates she and her husband were hiking on Beacon Hill trail and stopped to take pictures at the edge of the cliff when she lost her footing and fell. Hikers should wear proper footwear for the current hiking conditions and pay attention to the inherent dangers of the outdoors. 

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Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 22 at 3:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with knee and upper leg injuries after a fall on Knob Lock Mountain. Forest Rangers Black, Foutch, Mecus, O’Connor, and Praczkajlo reached the 71-year-old from Westport and carried him out using a backpack carrier system. The Rangers and subject reached the roadside by 6:40 p.m. The hiker decided to seek further medical attention on his own. Video of part of the rescue is available to download at https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/Knob%20Lock%20Mountain%20rescue%20video.MOV 

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City of Plattsburgh 

Clinton County 

Overdose Rescue: On Dec. 22 at 5:55 p.m., Forest Ranger Lieutenant Booth responded to an emergency call in Plattsburgh for an overdose with CPR in progress. Lieutenant Booth administered four doses of Narcan to resuscitate the patient. EMS transported the 33-year-old to the hospital at 6:34 p.m. 

Town of North Hudson 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Dec. 26 at 5:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Ranger Martin about a hiker who had slipped off the summit of South Dix Mountain. Ranger Martin asked the 46-year-old from South Glens Falls to call 911 so responders could acquire her coordinates. She had fallen several hundred feet down steep snow and a rockslide before grabbing a small spruce tree, which prevented her from going over a vertical cliff face. The conditions were treacherous with pouring rain, soaking wet spruce tree cover, deep snow, and slippery ice. In addition to a higher likelihood of injury, these conditions also lead to potential hypothermia. Rangers Lewis and Martin reached the subject at 1:30 a.m., provided warm liquids, food, and dry clothing, and guided the subject out of the vegetation and back to the trail. The Rangers reached her vehicle at 6:30 a.m. Ranger Martin describes the rescue and dangerous conditions at  https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/RangerMartinDiscussesSouthDixMountainRescue.mp4 

Village of Gowanda 

Cattaraugus County 

Patrol and Training: On Dec. 28, three Forest Rangers patrolled Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area by kayak. Along the five-mile river patrol, Rangers checked permits, ensured the safety of other kayakers, and practiced swiftwater rescue skills. Zoar Valley is known for flash floods and steep cliff walls, and many areas can only be patrolled by raft or kayak when water levels are high. Video from the patrol and training is available to download at https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/Kayak%20patrol%20and%20swiftwater%20rescue%20training%20at%20Zoar%20Valley.mp4 

Town of Cheektowaga 

Erie County 

Public Outreach: On Jan. 1, Forest Ranger Sprague led a ‘First Day Hike’ for 24 hikers at the Reinstein Nature Center. Ranger Sprague discussed his job as a Ranger, general outdoor and hiking safety, and forest ecology. DEC and partners at the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation host annual First Day Hikes statewide at State lands and sites. Visit https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hiking/first-day-hikes to learn more.  

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