DEC Forest Rangers - Week in Review

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."

Towns of Colonie and Moreau
Albany and Saratoga Counties
Prescribed Burn: On Oct. 28, Forest Rangers Jackson and Laymon, staff from the Division of Lands and Forests, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Albany Pine Bush conducted a prescribed burn of more than four acres at the Albany Pine Bush.

On Oct. 29, Forest Ranger Carabetta, staff from DEC's Division of Lands and Forests, State Parks, and Albany Pine Bush conducted a prescribed burn of more than 34 acres at Moreau Lake State Park.

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 implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.

Prescribed burn at Albany Pine Bush

Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn crew

Town of Middleburgh
Schoharie County
Wilderness Search: On Oct. 28 at 8:39 p.m., while patrolling Dutton Ridge State Forest, Forest Ranger France observed a vehicle parked on the side of Anderson Road. Another vehicle approached and the person inside told Ranger France they were on the phone with two missing hunters who owned the parked vehicle. The two 59-year-olds became lost while tracking a deer they shot. Schoharie County Sheriff's Deputies assisted with the search efforts. At 9:15 p.m., Ranger France located the two hunters in good condition and assisted them out of the woods.

Town of Naples
Ontario County
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 29 at 9:55 a.m., Forest Rangers Dormer and Raffaldi-Smith responded to a wildland fire near Clement Road. By 3 p.m., Rangers and the Naples Fire Department had the fire controlled. The cause was an unextinguished, unattended campfire. On Oct. 30, Rangers declared the fire out.

Rangers remind campers to never leave a campfire unattended. And to put out the fire, drown it with water and make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet, and then move rocks to make sure there are no embers burning in the ground. More fire safety tips are available on the DEC website.

Fire in Naples

Town of Martinsburg
Lewis County
Wilderness Search: On Oct. 29 at 8:32 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a lost hunter near Graves Road on Lesser Wilderness State Forest. The 67-year-old from Ancram became lost in the darkness while tracking a deer they shot. Forest Ranger Maxwell worked with New York State Police and the Lewis County Sheriff's Department on the search. Using cell phone coordinates, rescuers located the hunter at 9:30 p.m. in good health. The hunter had a flashlight that died and a cell phone that was nearly out of charge.

Rangers suggest hikers and hunters bring light sources such as headlamps with extra batteries and not rely on phones for navigation and light. In the wilderness, cell phone batteries lose charge more quickly.

Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 31 at 2:25 p.m., Forest Ranger Dawson responded to a call for a hiker with a knee injury below North Point. Ranger Dawson reached the 57-year-old at Artist Rock and assisted the hiker back to North South Lake Campground. Resources were clear at 3:30 p.m.

Town of Ticonderoga
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On Nov. 1 at 12:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the family of a hunter missing since the previous day. The 34-year-old from Ticonderoga spoke with a hunting partner through the night but failed to make it out of the woods. Forest Rangers Kabrehl and Quinn searched the area and found items belonging to the hunter. At 4 p.m., the hunter made it to a home on Canfield Road. The hunter refused medical attention from Rangers but accepted a ride from a friend to the hospital due to cramping from dehydration and exhaustion. Resources were clear at 5 p.m.

Town of Brownville
Jefferson County
Rescue: On Nov. 1 at 9:50 p.m., Forest Ranger Cooley assisted the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Chaumont Fire Department, and Watertown Fire Department with the rescue of two anglers on their boat stuck approximately 100 yards from shore in Black River Bay. The pair accidentally operated their boat in shallow waters, causing it to run aground. Rescuers used an inflatable raft to safely retrieve the two fishermen.

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.