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 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 Shandaken Ulster County Wilderness Rescue: On April 27 at 3 p.m., a member of Pine Hill Fire Department alerted Forest Ranger Martin about a hiker having an allergic reaction on Wittenberg Mountain. Rangers Franceschina and Martin responded with a Shandaken Emergency Medical Technician. The hiker is allergic to tree nuts and didn’t realize there were tree nuts in their trail mix. The hiker broke out in hives and had swollen lips. At 5:15 p.m., Rangers met the hiker on the trail. The hiker’s symptoms had subsided. Rangers escorted the subject to the trailhead where Shandaken Emergency Medical Services evaluated them. The hiker refused further medical treatment. Resources were clear at 6:16 p.m.

Town of Queensbury Warren County Wildland Fire: On April 28 at 3:45 p.m., two Forest Rangers responded to a brush fire that damaged multiple structures including a child’s playhouse. Firefighters from Bay Ridge, Queensbury Central, South Glens Falls, South Queensbury, and West Glens Falls Fire Departments contained the fire to 0.5 acres. Rangers issued a ticket for leaving a fire unattended.

Queensbury fire

Queensbury fire

Queensbury fire

Town of Barton Tioga County Wilderness Recovery: On April 28 at 5:30 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a 46-year-old who had not been seen for two days. Rangers conducted linear searches while NYSP used K9 and drone units. On April 29, 11 Rangers, two Environmental Conservation Police Officers, and 33 members of NYSP searched 945 acres with negative results. On April 30 at 12:22 p.m., a NYSP Underwater Recovery Team located the subject deceased in a nearby creek. Rangers assisted with the recovery.

City of Rensselaer Rensselaer County Training: On April 28, 29, and 30, Forest Ranger Jackson taught the basic wildland fire suppression course to 12 Rensselaer High School juniors and seniors. The course was taught in conjunction with Rensselaer County’s Career and Technical Education program.

Ranger Jackson teaches Rensselaer High School students

Town of Cambridge Washington County Wildland Fire: On April 29 at 10:30 a.m., two Forest Rangers responded to a brush fire at the intersection of Content Farm Road and Little Colfax Road. By 12 p.m., Rangers and firefighters from Arlington, Buskirk, Cambridge, Cossayuna, Easton, Greenwich, Hoosick Falls, North Hoosick Falls, Salem, Schuylerville, Shushan, and White Creek Fire Departments contained the fire to 0.8 acre. One shed and four scrap vehicles were damaged in the fire. DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement handled the charges for illegal debris burning.

The statewide residential brush burning prohibition began on March 16 and continues through May 14.

Cambridge fire

Town of Elizabethtown Essex County Wildland Fire: On April 29 at 5:16 p.m., six Forest Rangers responded to a brush fire on Lincoln Pond Road. A bus on the property was damaged by the fire. By 8:55 p.m., Rangers and firefighters from Crown Point, Elizabethtown, Essex, Keene, Keene Valley, Lewis, Mineville/Witherbee. Moriah, Westport, and Whallonsburg Fire Departments controlled the 2.4-acre fire. DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement was called in to address the illegal burning of garbage.

Elizabethtown fire

Elizabethtown fire

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, 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 .