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.
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“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 Newcomb, Essex County
Wilderness rescue: On July 20 at 4:39 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received an SOS activation from a satellite device for a hiker who was dizzy and vomiting on the Allen Mountain Trail. The 77-year-old from Marcy has a history of cardiac issues, so Forest Rangers determined a hoist mission was the safest and quickest option. New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation Pilot Sergeant Beck flew Rangers Jansen and Sabo to the hiker’s location. Ranger Jansen harnessed the subject and Ranger Sabo successfully hoisted the patient into the helicopter. NYSP Pilot Beck flew them to the hospital. Resources were clear at 7 p.m.
Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness rescue: On July 20 at 5:45 p.m., while on the way to respond to the Allen Mountain rescue, Forest Ranger Rooney was rerouted to a call for a severely dehydrated hiker on the Algonquin Trail. Ranger Rooney reached the 67-year-old from Buffalo, provided food and liquids, and escorted them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 7:47 p.m.
Town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County
Campsite rescue: On July 21 at 5:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a report of six campers stranded on Lows Lake campsite 27 after a strong storm passed through. Trees fell on the site and damaged their canoes and tents. On the way there, Forest Ranger Quinn had to cut and remove trees from Sabattis Road. At 8:26 p.m., Rangers Quinn and Shea made contact with the campers from Connecticut and Florida. The campers were visibly shaken. Ranger Quinn used a van to drive them to St. Regis Canoe Outfitters, who were staged near the upper dam. Due to the extensive damage, Rangers on the ground and in motorboats checked campsites 20-28. No other campers required evacuation.
Town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County
Wilderness rescue: On July 21 at 11:06 p.m., St. Lawrence County requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for two hikers off trail in the Five Ponds Wilderness near Olmstead Pond. Satellite coordinates placed the hikers from Delmar and Ravena approximately 2.5 miles from the West Flow off the southern end of Cranberry Lake. Rangers Ellis and Hogan joined six members of the Cranberry Lake Fire Department in the Fire Department’s boat. Rangers reached the subjects, treated a sore on a foot of one of the 18-year-olds, and provided nourishment. At 4 a.m., they returned to the boat which transported them to the dock at 4:30 a.m.
Town of Santa Clara, Franklin County
Wilderness rescue: On July 23 at 2:26 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a 16-year-old going in and out of consciousness in the St. Regis Canoe Area. Lieutenant LaPierre and Ranger Bowler took ATVs and a canoe via the Fish Pond truck trail to Fish Pond. Lieutenant Snye and Ranger Lewis brought chainsaws to clear trees from the trail. At 5:18 p.m., Rangers reached the subject from Massachusetts. Members of the teenager’s group placed them in a canoe for transport. Rangers determined the patient had suffered numerous seizures. Rescuers ferried the patient across Fish Pond, ensuring the subject continued breathing. They met Ranger Quinn and a Saranac Lake Paramedic who administered medication to slow the onset of the seizures. Resources were clear at 8:12 p.m.
Town of Hope, Hamilton County
Wilderness rescue: On July 23 at 2:45 p.m., Hamilton County requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker with an ankle injury on the Tenant Creek Falls Trail. Hope, Lake Valley, and Northville Fire Departments provided care to a lower leg fracture. At 3:40 p.m., Rangers arrived and packaged the 74-year-old from New Jersey into a wheeled litter. Rescuers wheeled the subject to the trailhead. Lake Valley EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6:30 p.m.
Town of Hunter, Greene County
Wilderness rescue: On July 25 at 10:15 a.m., Forest Rangers Cowart and Sweeney responded to a call for a hiker feeling dizzy and lightheaded on the Becker Hollow Trail on Hunter Mountain. The hiker’s partner indicated the 73-year-old from New York City was nauseous, sweating, and refusing to eat or drink. When Rangers arrived, the subject was improving enough to take electrolyte liquids and some food. Rangers walked slowly with the patient until they reached the trailhead. The hiker refused further medical treatment. Resources were clear at 3:15 p.m.
Town of Franklin, Franklin County
Wilderness rescue: On July 25 at 1:30 p.m., Saranac Lake Fire Department requested Forest Ranger assistance for the carryout of a 60-year-old who fell off a bridge near Camp Road. Three Rangers responded with Bloomingdale and Saranac Lake Fire Departments. They stabilized the patient who suffered a pelvic injury and a possible broken leg. Rescuers used a backpack carrier and litter system. Saranac Lake EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 4 p.m.
Village of Cooperstown, Otsego County
Traffic control: On July 25 and 26, Forest Rangers Black, France, and Laymon assisted Cooperstown Police with traffic control during the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction weekend. Rangers patrolled the village on ATVs and provided security during the Hall of Fame parade.
Town of Springfield, Otsego County
Water rescue: On July 26 at 9:35 a.m., Forest Ranger Laymon responded to a report of a stranded boater on Bailey Pond. When Ranger Laymon arrived, the rowboat was partially capsized approximately 100 yards offshore. Ranger Laymon swam to the 68-year-old from Richfield Springs and provided a personal flotation device. Once Ranger Laymon determined the boater was uninjured, they waited for a Schuyler Lake Fire Department airboat to bring them to shore. Resources were clear at 11 a.m.
Town of Hunter, Greene County
Wilderness rescue: On July 26 at 2:09 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a severely dehydrated hiker near Kaaterskill Falls. At 2:34 p.m., Forest Ranger Black and Assistant Forest Ranger Zeleznik reached the 46-year-old from Northport. The hiker only ate one granola bar the entire day. Rangers provided a glucose packet and water. The subject walked out on their own and refused further medical attention.
Rangers suggest eating before heading out on a hike and bringing extra food that’s high in protein and calories. Nutrition is part of the Ten Hiking Essentials.
Town of Wilmington, Essex County
Injured cliff jumper: On July 26 at 5:57 p.m., Wilmington Fire Department requested Forest Ranger assistance with an injured swimmer in the flume of the West Branch Ausable River. The 16-year-old from Ithaca suffered head and knee injuries from cliff jumping into the river. Wilmington Fire Department retrieved the subject out of the water. Rangers assisted with a technical rope rescue for the steep angle raise. Once successfully raised, Wilmington EMS transported the patient to the hospital.
Town of Hunter, Greene County
Wilderness rescue: On July 26 at 8 p.m., Forest Rangers Horn, Jackson, and Sweeney responded to a call for a hiker with a leg injury near the summit of Hunter Mountain. Rangers reached the 20-year-old, stabilized the leg injury, and packaged them in a wheeled litter. For part of the carryout, Rangers employed a steep angle rope rescue. When they reached the summit, they transferred care to the Lexington Fire Department at their UTV. Firefighters drove the subject to the trailhead at the base of the mountain. Friends drove the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 3 a.m.
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “Hike Smart NY,” “Adirondack Backcountry,” 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, 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.
