The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 04/16/2025 12:10 PM EDT
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.
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 Acting 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 Harrietstown Franklin County Wilderness Search: On April 8 at 10:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a subject concerned about a 57-year-old friend who was one day overdue from a hike on Seward Mountain. Six Forest Rangers started searching at 2:30 a.m., and 12 more Rangers later joined the search. One crew located the subject’s snowshoe tracks after brushing below four inches of fresh snow. The Rangers followed those tracks for 100 yards and continued in that direction. At 12:36 p.m., the Rangers located the subject at the Ouluska Pass lean-to off the Northville-Placid trail. The hiker was tired, but otherwise in good health. Rangers escorted the hiker back to the trailhead where he was met by a family member. Resources were clear at 4:52 p.m.
Rangers find snowshoe tracks
Seward Mountain search
Albany, Chenango Steuben, and Suffolk Counties Prescribed Burns: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 conduct safely. 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 meet land management goals, including while the statewide annual ban on residential brush burning is in effect. The following burns recently took place:
On April 9, Forest Rangers and dozens of support staff conducted a prescribed burn in Steuben County on more than 45 acres in the Helmer Creek Wildlife Management Area in Rathbone;
On April 9, Forest Rangers and staff from DEC’s Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife conducted a prescribed burn in Chenango County on more than 25 acres on Long Pond State Forest in Smithville;
On April 9, Forest Rangers, staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, and staff from Brookhaven National Lab, Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, and The Nature Conservancy conducted prescribed burns in Suffolk County on 81 acres on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest in Brookhaven and 55 acres on the Otis Pike Pine Barrens in Riverhead; and
On April 10, Forest Rangers, DEC staff, and staff from Albany Pine Bush conducted a prescribed burn on nearly 11 acres of the Albany Pine Bush.
Helmer Creek Wildlife Management Area prescribed burn (Steuben County)
Long Pond State Forest prescribed burn (Chenango County)
Otis Pike Pine Barrens prescribed burn (Suffolk County)
Otis Pike Pine Barrens prescribed burn (Suffolk County)
Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest prescribed burn (Suffolk County)
Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (Albany County)
Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn crew
Village of Whitney Point Broome County Training and Water Search: On April 11, Region 7 Forest Rangers conducted airboat training. As part of the training, Rangers continued the search for a 31-year-old male subject last seen near his vehicle on the south end of Dorchester Park on March 14. Rangers were part of the original search organized by Binghamton Police. The airboat search yielded negative results. Rangers will search down river again as water levels recede.
Airboat training and search
Airboat training and search
Ulster County Town of Plattekill Training: On April 12 and 13, Forest Rangers Jeffrey and Rusher taught the Basic Wildland Fire Suppression course to members of the Clintondale, Plattekill, and Wallkill Fire Departments at Plattekill Fire Department. During the 12-hour course, Rangers covered jurisdiction, responsibilities, fire behavior, wildland fire elements, size-up, use of tools and equipment, strategies and tactics of wildland fire suppression, securing the control line, and standards for safety. Rangers conducted a field exercise in Hemlock Ridge Multiple Use Area with firefighters using hand tools and constructing a hose lay up the ridge.
Wildland firefighting training
Hamlet of Ray Brook Essex County Training: On April 13, Ray Brook Dispatchers participated in CPR training. The training allows DEC Dispatchers to provide assistance to callers in need of backcountry rescue before Forest Rangers are able to reach them.
DEC staff participating in CPR training
Town of Burke Franklin County Law Enforcement: On April 13, Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger response to a wildland fire. Burke Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished a fire started by a subject illegally burning debris and leaves in their yard. A Forest Ranger issued a ticket for a violation of the statewide annual ban on residential brush burning.
Village of Saranac Lake Essex County Wilderness Search: On April 13 at 9:25 p.m., Forest Ranger responded to a call for a shoeless subject last seen walking into the woods. Rangers searched with Saranac Lake Fire Department and Saranac Lake Police. At 10:30 p.m., Rangers Adams, Corey, and Jansen located the 26-year-old in good health and walked them back to their residence. Saranac Lake EMS took over care of the subject.
Honoring Dispatchers: April 13 to 19 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, which honors the vital work of public safety telecommunicators, who are often the first point of contact for emergency calls.
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.
