NEW YORK STATE — 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 Lake Placid 

Essex County 

Public Outreach: On Aug. 16, Forest Ranger DuChene served as a guest speaker at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Northeast open house and alumni event. Ranger DuChene led a presentation on the anatomy of a rescue, explaining everything Rangers need when heading out on a search-and-rescue mission. 

Ranger DuChene at NOLS event (photo attached)

Hamlet of Gabriels 

Franklin County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 20 at 11:50 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker on St. Regis Mountain who was running out of light and cell phone battery life. Coordinates placed the 74-year-old from Brookhaven approximately one-quarter of a mile from the trailhead before the call dropped. Forest Ranger DuChene hiked in, located the subject, and helped him back to his vehicle at the trailhead. Resources were clear at 1:40 a.m.  

DEC reminds hikers that a headlamp or other light, and a way to charge it, are essential tools for hikes and help to prevent the need for rescue. For more information on recommended gear and how to prepare, visit Hike Smart NY.  

Town of Arietta 

Hamilton County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 23 at 5:05 p.m., Forest Ranger Milano received a text from the Inlet Fire Chief regarding an off-duty paramedic who encountered an injured hiker on the Northville Placid Trail near Cedar Lakes. Six Rangers and an Assistant Forest Ranger hiked in and located the 34-year-old from New Jersey. 

The injured hiker was being helped by another group of hikers and the off-duty paramedic. The paramedic had a GPS and satellite communication device that allowed Ray Brook Dispatch to track location and progress, making it easier for Rangers to find the group. Rangers and the paramedic wrapped the subject’s ankle. At 10 p.m., they made it to the trailhead where the hiker decided to seek further medical attention on her own. 

Hiker rescued on Northville Placid Trail (photo attached)

Town of Nassau 

Rensselaer County 

Training: On Aug. 24, Forest Ranger Jackson led a Basic Wildland Search class for 25 trainees from Averill Park, Nassau, Hoags Corners, Raymertown, and Tsatsawassa Fire Departments, Nassau Ambulance, Hudson Mohawk Search and Rescue, Adirondack Mountain Reserve, and the town of Nassau. 

Trainees learned about search incidents from initial response to different search techniques and clues to look for, to finding the subject and demobilization. Ranger Jackson led a mock search in Nassau’s new Wachoosick Park.  

Town of Shandaken 

Ulster County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 24 at 2:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker on the Giant Ledge summit who had suffered a knee injury. Forest Rangers Horn and Sweeney met the 26-year-old from Maryland and his group on the trail. 

Rangers helped walk the hiker back to the trailhead where he decided to seek further medical attention on his own. Resources were clear at 6:30 p.m. 

Town of Rockland 

Sullivan County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 24 at 3 p.m., Mongaup Campground staff notified Ray Brook Dispatch that two campers in their 40s failed to return to their campsite after a morning hike to Hodge Pond. At 5:45 p.m., Forest Ranger Kreft located the two missing hikers and discovered that one had suffered an ankle injury. Due to the injury, the pair of hikers walked very slowly with Ranger Kreft down the trail. At 9:40 p.m., they made it back to the campground.  

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 24 at 3:50 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker with an ankle injury on the Ridge trail of Giant Mountain, approximately 1.2 miles from the trailhead. New York State Police Aviation Pilot Sergeant Beck was called to assist. Forest Ranger Curcio was inserted from the helicopter to the subject. 

Ranger Curcio met Ranger Rooney, who had hiked in to the 33-year-old from Vermont and helped stabilize the ankle injury, to package the subject for a hoist. Ranger Baldwin successfully hoisted the subject, and they flew to the hospital. Resources were clear at 5:20 p.m. 

Hoist rescue on Giant Mountain (photo attached)

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 25 at 1:40 a.m., Essex County 911 received an SOS text from a hiker at Johns Brook Outpost reporting his parents were several hours overdue after summiting Mount Marcy. At 7:22 a.m., Forest Rangers Holdridge and Odell found the 58- and 59-year-olds from Albany approximately 1.5 miles from the outpost. 

The pair’s headlamps and phones were dead, so the hikers spent the night near Slant Rock before hiking back down at sunrise. The party was reunited with family members and resources were clear by 8:50 a.m. 

Town of Keene 

Essex County 

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 25 at 10:52 a.m., a hiker called Ray Brook Dispatch after suffering a broken arm above the ladders on Big Slide Mountain. At 12:55 p.m. Forest Rangers Curcio and Rooney reached the 64-year-old from Rensselaer, stabilized the injury, and walked her out. They reached the trailhead at 2:50 p.m. The hiker decided to seek further medical attention on her own. 

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