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 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 burning out of control, 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.”

 

Town of Hurley 

Ulster County 

Public Outreach:  On June 8, Forest Ranger Franceschina attended the West Hurley Touch- A-Truck event. At the event, children saw different law enforcement vehicles and learned how the vehicles respond to emergencies. Ranger Franceschina showcased equipment Rangers use during emergency calls. Children used backpack pumps to put out an imaginary fire on the Ranger’s patrol vehicle and Smokey Bear and Ranger Franceschina spread the word about fire safety. 

 

Ranger Franceschina and Smokey Bear at West Hurley Touch-A-Truck (photo attached)

 

Children use backpack pumps(photo attached)

 

Hamlet of Wassaic 

Dutchess County 

Law Enforcement: On June 9, while on patrol at Wassaic Multiple Use Area, Forest Ranger Russo came across two campers illegally set up within 150 feet of a creek and illegally using a motorized vehicle on State land. After conferring with Ray Brook Dispatch, Ranger Russo discovered one of the subjects had two active bench warrants and a revoked license. In addition, the subject was in alleged violation of an active order of protection prohibiting contact with the other camper. Ray Brook Dispatch notified Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office who took the subject into custody. The second camper moved the camp to a proper location. Ranger Russo issued a ticket for illegal camping. 

 

 

Illegal Camping (photo attached)

 

Town of Clifton 
St. Lawrence County

Wilderness Rescue: On June 10 at 12:53 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call regarding an overdue hiker on the Dead Creek trail in Cranberry Lake Wild Forest. Forest Ranger Benzel confirmed the subject’s vehicle was still in the parking lot. At 1:20 p.m., Ranger Benzel located the 41-year-old from Webster as the subject was attempting to hike back down the trail. The hiker was shivering, nauseated, thirsty, and tired, and showed signs of mild hypothermia, dehydration, and possible fall-related injuries. Rangers Ellis and Shea travelled by boat to the subject’s location. Rangers warmed the patient by building a campfire and providing warm fluids before transporting the hiker by boat to the trailhead parking lot. Ranger Benzel drove the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6:15 p.m. 

 

Hamlet of Kerhonkson 

Ulster County 

Public Outreach: On June 12, Forest Ranger Sweeney joined second grade students from Kerhonkson Elementary School for their “Trout in the Classroom” program. The students raised trout in the classroom and, under DEC supervision, release the trout into the wild. After the release, Ranger Sweeney led the students on a hike and answered questions about nature and hiking safety.  

 

Town of North Elba 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On June 12 at 3:27 p.m., Forest Rangers Foutch and Rooney responded to a call for a dehydrated hiker near the summit of Mount Haystack. Despite vomiting, the hiker continued the planned route up and over the shoulder of Mount Marcy and down to Marcy Dam, while Rangers responded. When Rangers reached the hiker, they provided water, electrolytes, and food, and assisted them out to Adirondak Loj. Resources were clear at 7:22 p.m. 

 
Rangers encourage hikers to bring enough food and water for the entirety of their planned hike, and longer in case something goes wrong. Planning ahead can help hikers avoid dehydration along the trail. 

 

Haystack rescue (photo attached)

 

Town of Lake George 

Warren County 

Rescue: On June 13 at 1:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker who had suffered a leg injury on Prospect Mountain. Forest Rangers, an Environmental Conservation Police Officer, and DEC Operations staff hiked to the patient with a wheeled litter and other equipment. Rangers splinted the hiker’s leg injury and packaged the 34-year-old from Gansevoort for evacuation down the trail using the wheeled litter with a belay. Family members transported the subject to the hospital. Resources were clear at 4:30 p.m. 

 

Prospect Mountain rescue (two photos attached)

 

Town of Johnsburg 

Warren County 

Wilderness Search: On June 13 at 3:50 p.m., Hamilton County 911 alerted Ray Brook Dispatch about a dropped call from a hiker lost on Crane Mountain with their dog. Forest Rangers started linear searches of the trails and area around Crane Mountain Pond. Ranger Caswell located some tracks and heard a dog barking. Navigating the steep terrain, Ranger Casewell made voice contact with the 42-year-old hiker from Queensbury. The subject and their dog were stuck on a ledge, mid-slope, on the mountain. Rangers worked down to the hiker and assisted them back to the trail. The hiker and dog were in good health. Resources were clear by 9 p.m. 

 

Crane Mountain rescue (photo attached)

 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Search: On June 14 at 12:20 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from someone concerned about his wife and son who were overdue from a hike up Nippletop Mountain.  At 2:45 a.m., Forest Ranger DuChene located the 54 and 19-year-olds from LeRoy on the access road and transported them back to their vehicle. 

 

Rangers encourage hikers to inform a friend or loved one of their anticipated hiking plans so they can call for assistance if the hiker becomes overdue. In this case, planning ahead helped ensure the safe location and return of the hikers. 

 

Hamlet of Pottersville 

Warren County 

Public Outreach: On June 14, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Arnold participated in Get Outdoors & Get Together Day at Scaroon Manor Campground and Day Use Area. At the event, Lt. Arnold and Smokey Bear spread the word about campfire safety. 

Lt. Arnold, Smokey Bear, and camper at Get Outdoors & Get Together Day in Warren County (photo attached)

 

Hamlet of Staatsburg 

Dutchess County 

Public Outreach: On June 14, Forest Ranger Russo and Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Wamsley participated in Get Outdoors & Get Together Day at Norrie Point State Park. ECO Wamsley helped identify fish caught using a sein net and assisted the public with fishing in the Hudson. Ranger Russo spoke to the public about trail systems and hiking tips. ECO Wamsley and Ranger Russo also talked to The Institute Discovering Environmental Scientists (TIDES) and Mid-Hudson Young Environmental Scientists (MH-YES) program participants about career opportunities with DEC. 

 

ECO Wamsley and Ranger Russo at Get Outdoors and Get Together Day in Dutchess County (photo attached)

 

Borough of Staten Island 

Richmond County 

Public Outreach: On June 14, Forest Ranger Scott participated in Get Outdoors & Get Together Day at Mount Loretto Unique Area. Despite rainy weather, plenty of people showed up for a variety of outdoor offerings, including hearing Ranger Scott talk about fire safety and conservation. 

 

Ranger Scott at Get Outdoors & Get Together Day in Richmond County (photo attached)

 

Town of Hunter 

Greene County 

Wilderness Rescue: On June 14 at 4:10 p.m., Greene County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a subject on the Escarpment trail who was suffering abdominal pain and unable to hike out. Forest Ranger Fox called the subject’s hiking partner to get an exact location. The couple was at the intersection for the Lower Kaaterskill Falls trail along the Escarpment trail. Two Assistant Forest Rangers performed a medical assessment while Rangers responded. Four Rangers packaged the 58-year-old from New Rochelle into a littler. Rangers and members of the Haines Falls and Tannersville Fire Departments carried the patient to a Hunter Ambulance at the Laurel House trailhead. Resources were clear at 5:30 p.m. 

 

Escarpment trail rescue (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