DEC FOREST RANGERS - WEEK IN REVIEW
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.
During the first six months of 2026, Forest Rangers conducted 126 search and rescue missions, extinguished 65 wildfires covering more than 215 acres, and participated in 54 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,355 acres of land. In 2025, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 202 wildfires covering 840 acres, participated in 68 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,649 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,100 tickets and arrests. Also in 2025, 41 Forest Rangers were deployed to fire assignments in 10 different states.
“Our Forest Rangers are elite law enforcement leaders who put their lives on the line when they respond to a search and rescue, wildland fire, or State land violation,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “We’re fortunate to have them patrolling State lands and keeping people safe. Their expertise and professionalism are valuable assets, not only in New York, but around the country wherever emergencies arise.”
Town of Lewis
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On September 21 at 3:28 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of a lost hiker near the summit of Jay Mountain. Forest Ranger Holdridge located the 65-year-old from Setauket and escorted them down the mountain. The incident was clear at 8:39 p.m.
The hiker did not have a map, compass, or headlamp.
Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On September 21 at 8:40 p.m., Forest Rangers Foutch and Holdridge responded to a report of a hiker who could no longer see in the dark near the summit of Lookout Mountain. The 30-year-old from Troy had a flashlight and phone, but both batteries were dying. The solo hiker planned to stay at the Porcupine Lodge outpost until daylight if help wasn’t available. Rangers located the subject and assisted them up the toll road and provided a courtesy ride to their vehicle. The incident was clear at 9:57 p.m.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Recovery: On September 22 at 3:28 p.m., Saratoga County 911 contacted Ray Brook Dispatch for a welfare check for a despondent subject. Forest Ranger Jeffery located the subject’s vehicle at the Ridge Trailhead in the Giant Mountain Wilderness Area. At 6:13 p.m., Rangers Jeffery and Lewis located the 45-year-old from Glens Falls deceased at the base of the northern cliff overlook. A team of Rangers carried the subject to the road to the County Coroner. The incident was clear at 10:50 p.m.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers condolences to the family.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, help is available. Call or text 988 for New York State’s free 24-hour hotline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Town of Long Lake
Hamilton County
Ground Fire: On September 23 at 3:45 p.m., Forest Rangers Nahor and Scott responded to a call for a ground fire on the south shore of Owls Head Pond. The fire was approximately 50 feet in diameter and burning deep into the ground. Rangers stayed through the night to work on hot spots. Rangers brought more tools the following morning. On September 24 at 7:45 p.m., Rangers put the fire in patrol status.
Long Lake ground fire
Town of Harrietstown
Franklin County
Wilderness Rescue: On September 22 at 7:08 p.m., Forest Ranger Curcio responded to a call for a subject who suffered a head injury at lean-to #10 along Raquette River. When Ranger Curcio arrived, Tupper Lake EMS had already packaged the 84-year-old from Harrietstown. Ranger Curcio assisted with the transport on an ATV to Coreys Road, where they were met by a Tupper Lake Ambulance. The incident was clear at 8:23 p.m.
Town of Chesterfield
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On September 22 at 8:17 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Clinton County 911 reporting a hiker having an asthma attack on Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain. Ranger Bode was diverted from the Giant Mountain carryout to assist with this incident. Upon arrival, Keeseville EMS was providing treatment for the 49-year-old from Whitehall. Once the patient was stable, Ranger Bodie and members of the Keeseville and Lewis Fire Departments carried the hiker to the trailhead. The incident was clear at 10:22 p.m.
Town of Chesterfield
Essex County
Water Recovery: On September 25 at 3 p.m., Forest Ranger Odell responded to a call from Keeseville and Peru Fire Departments about a body found in the water under the bridge at Ausable Chasm. Rangers Holdridge and Quinn joined the efforts with the Clinton County Technical Rescue Team to pull the subject from the water. Ausable Chasm staff assisted rescuers with a safety line, so they could wade down the river. Keeseville Fire Department’s ladder truck lowered a litter down to the subject’s location. Rescuers loaded the 60-year-old from Keeseville into a litter and lifted the subject up to the bridge, where they were met by the Essex County Coroner. The incident was clear at 5:24 p.m.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers condolences to the family.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescues: On September 25 at 3:42 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of a hiker with a knee injury on Mount Marcy. Adirondack Mountain Club Summit Stewards assisted the 31-year-old from New Jersey. Forest Ranger Curcio met the hiker and the Stewards on the trail and provided additional splinting. While assisting the hiker to Marcy Dam, a second hiker in the same group injured their knee. Rangers Curcio and Rooney splinted the injury for the 30-year-old from New Jersey. Rangers assisted the hikers to Marcy Dam. The incident was clear at 7:57 p.m.
Mount Marcy knee injuries
Town of Black Brook
Clinton County
Wilderness Rescue: On September 25 at 5:34 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of a lost solo hiker on Silver Lake Mountain. Coordinates placed the subject near a forest road, far off the hiking trail. Forest Rangers Holdridge and Odell drove ATVs to the road and then hiked in. They located the 72-year-old with cuts and scrapes from bushwhacking through dense vegetation. The hiker refused medical attention. Rangers assisted the subject to the road and provided a ride to their vehicle. The incident was clear at 7:15 p.m.
Village of Lake Placid
Essex County
Public Outreach: On September 26, Forest Rangers participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness walk at the Olympic Oval. Rangers walked in memorial of Forest Ranger Captain Kostoss and Forest Ranger Colonel Cornell who both died by suicide. The walk helps bring awareness to mental health and the struggles first responders face.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, help is available. Call or text 988 for New York State’s free 24-hour hotline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Out of the Darkness Walk in Lake Placid
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