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 nine months of 2026, Forest Rangers conducted 277 search and rescue missions, extinguished 93 wildfires covering more than 224 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.”
City of Albany and Town of Moreau
Albany and Saratoga Counties
Prescribed Burn: On October 19, Forest Rangers joined DEC staff and New York State Parks to conduct a controlled burn on 11 acres on Big Bend Preserve in Moreau Lake State Park.
On October 19, 21, and 24, Forest Rangers joined DEC staff, New York State Parks, United States Wildland Fire Service, and staff from the Albany Pine Bush to conduct controlled burns on 87 acres in the Albany Pine Bush.
Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. These burns are regulated by law and code, 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 and responsibly implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to ensure safety and meet land management goals.
 Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn
 Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn crew
 Big Bend Preserve prescribed burn
 Big Ben Preserve prescribed burn
Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 19 at 2 p.m., Assistant Forest Ranger (AFR) Zeleznik requested Forest Ranger assistance with a dehydrated hiker at the observation platform at Kaaterskill Falls. The 69-year-old from Fresh Meadow had severe cramping and couldn’t walk. AFR Zeleznik provided water and electrolytes. Forest Ranger Dawson continued the patient assessment while allowing the patient to rest and reduce their heart rate. Since the cramping didn’t go away, Rangers loaded the patient into Ranger Dawson’s truck. Rangers drove the hiker and their spouse to their vehicle. They refused further medical attention. The incident was clear at 3:20 p.m.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 20 at 9:15 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with an unstable lower leg injury on Cascade Mountain. The 16-year-old from Mountaindale rolled their ankle just above the tree line. New York State Police (NYSP) Pilot Sergeant Beck flew Forest Ranger Lieutenant Praczkajlo and Ranger Adams to the scene. Lieutenant Praczkajlo lowered Ranger Adams down to the teenager. Ranger Adams splinted the injury and harnessed the subject. Ranger Praczkajlo performed a successful hoist. Sergeant Beck flew them to the hospital. The incident was clear at 10:09 a.m. Video of the hoist is available to download here: https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/CascadeMountainHoistRescue_10-20-26.mov.
 Cascade Mountain rescue
Village of Sharon Springs
Schoharie County
Wildland Fire: On October 20 at 3:07 p.m., Forest Ranger Seeley and Sharon Springs Fire Department responded to a 1.2-acre fire burning full length trees cut down by a landowner. The landowner hired a bulldozer operator to construct a fire line around the perimeter. By 4:36 p.m., the bulldozer had completed 100% containment. Rangers continued to check hotspots each day. On October 23, Ranger France declared the fire out.
 Sharon Springs fire
 Sharon Springs fire
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 20 at 4:10 p.m., Essex County received a 911 text from a hiker who said they were freezing and in shock near the summit of Mount Marcy. The hiker fell, refused to move due to stress, and became hypothermic. Forest Ranger Jeffery made phone contact and explained that if they didn’t get out of the wind, they could die from hypothermia. New York State Police Pilot Sergeant Beck flew three Rangers to the scene. Forest Ranger Lieutenant Praczkajlo inserted Rangers Adams and Jeffery. Rangers warmed the subject from Schenectady and hiked them down to Marcy Dam Outpost. Ranger Jeffery provided an ATV ride to their vehicle. The incident was clear at 10 p.m.
 Mount Marcy rescue
 Mount Marcy rescue
Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 20 at 9:04 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a group of four hikers lost on Mount Marcy. The 18- to 23-year-olds from New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania had been hiking Phelps Mountain and took a “short cut” across Marcy Brook, hoping to make it out before their phone and head lamp batteries died. They called 911 for help shortly before their phones died. Forest Ranger Jeffery had just finished another rescue and hiked back into the woods and located the group. Rangers Adams, Donegan, and Morehouse, had also just finished a rescue, and drove ATVs to meet the hikers and Ranger Jeffery on Truck Road. They drove the group back to their vehicle at the Adirondak Loj trailhead. The incident was clear at 10:42 p.m.
Village of Tupper Lake
Franklin County
Wildland Fire: On October 21, Forest Rangers Engel and Jansen responded to a call for a fire on the Piercefield Flow. Rangers and the Tupper Lake Fire Department contained the 375-square-foot fire. The cause of the fire was an illegal campfire.
 Tupper Lake fire
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 21 at 6:22 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a satellite beacon activation from the upper north edge of the slide that serves as the exit route to the Mount Colden Trap Dike. The 60-year-old from Canada was stranded on the slide, approximately seven feet from its forested edge. He was on a ledge approximately one foot by three feet that had iced over. While trying to put on crampons, he dropped and lost them. He stood on the ledge for seven hours trying not to fall and not knowing if the beacon worked. At 1:16 a.m., Forest Rangers reached him and started assembling a high angle rope rescue. Ranger Jeffery belayed a Ranger with a backup belay from Rangers Engel and Jansen to help transition the rescuer and subject to the vegetated edge. Once in the forest, they began a grueling bushwhack toward the summit and trail. They descended to Marcy Dam Outpost where they met Rangers Holdridge and Quinn before using ATVs to exit to the trailhead. The incident was clear at 8 a.m. An interview with Rangers Curcio and Jeffery is available to download, https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/TrapDikeRescue_10-21-26.mp4 An interview with the hiker, Eric Le Bourhis, is available to download, https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/fs/programs/press/ForestRangers/EricLeBourhis-Hiker-TrapDikeResue.mp4
 October 21 Trap Dike rescue
 October 21 Trap Dike rescue
Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Water Search: On October 21 at 7:14 p.m., Hamilton County 911 received a call reporting a spouse overdue while fishing at Mud Pond. An app placed the 62-year-old in the middle of the pond. Forest Rangers Miller, Morehouse, and Nahor located the subject on the pond and assisted them to shore. Aside from being cold, the angler didn’t have any other medical issues. Long Lake Ambulance did a patient assessment. The incident was clear at 9:15 p.m.
Town of Union
Broome County
Training: On October 22, Forest Ranger Oldroyd led airboat training for eight Rangers in the Susquehanna River. Rangers often respond to water rescues by airboat because it enables the fastest response time.
 Airboat training on the Susquehanna River
 Airboat training on the Susquehanna River
Town of Butternuts
Otsego County
Wildland Fire: On October 22 at 6:35 p.m., Forest Rangers Dill, Laymon, and Seeley responded to a fire on Chicken Farm Road. The 1.9-acre fire was burning leaves. Rangers had the fire contained by 8:41 p.m.
Town of Pleasant Valley
Dutchess County
Public Outreach: On October 24, Forest Rangers Cowart and Lupole participated in the Pleasant Valley Fire Department’s Fall Fest with Smokey Bear. They discussed wildland fire safety and prevention. They also spoke about how to become a Forest Ranger.
 Ranger Lupole and Smokey Bear at Pleasant Valley Fall Fest
Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wildland Fire: On October 24 at 8:30 p.m., Warren County called Ray Brook Dispatch about a fire spotted from the Indian Lake Overlook, likely east of Center Pond. Four Forest Rangers and Indian Lake Fire Department responded. The fire was estimated at 21 acres. Firefighters worked into the night. At 2:30 a.m., fire crews had the fire under control.
 Indian Lake fire
 Indian Lake fire
Town of Brasher
St. Lawrence County
Wilderness Search: On October 24 at 9 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from St. Lawrence County 911 requesting Forest Ranger assistance with the search for an overdue hunter on Brasher State Forest. The 38-year-old hunter from Potsdam was expected home by 6:30 p.m. Family called 911. Rangers Ellis and Hanno joined New York State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Helena Fire Department in the search. Fire Department UTVs and a drone operator conducted linear searches. At 11:10 p.m., the hunter called 911. Rescuers used the coordinates from the 911 call and located the hunter at 11:30 p.m. The incident was clear at 12:26 a.m.
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On October 25 at 10:56 a.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for two subjects stuck on Mount Colden above the Trap Dike. At 1 p.m., New York State Police Pilot Engel flew Ranger Lieutenant Praczkajlo, Rangers Jeffery and Martin, and a climbing volunteer to the entrance of the Trap Dike. Rescuers hiked to the two subjects. By 5 p.m., the rescuers and two hikers from Paul Smiths were clear of the Trap Dike and hiking out to Marcy Dam. Rangers assisted the hikers out of the woods and to their vehicle. The incident was clear at 6:55 p.m.
 October 25 Trap Dike rescue
 October 25 Trap Dike rescue
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