A 15-year-old went underwater near Fawn's Leap in Kaaterskill Creek on April 18 and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The incident involved multiple emergency response agencies and is under investigation.

Two wilderness rescue incidents in early April involving a hiker who fell 50 feet down a gully in High Tor Wildlife Management Area and a lost hiker found in a swamp near Raquette Lake. Both subjects were safely located and assisted by Forest Rangers.

A 0.1-acre wildland fire caused by debris burning was reported on Elk Creek Road in Delhi, Delaware County on April 10; the landowner was issued a ticket for violating New York's statewide burn ban.

A 4.3-acre brush fire in the Town of Northumberland, Saratoga County was reported on April 9 and contained by 7:45 p.m. with assistance from DEC Forest Rangers and local fire departments.

A 0.5-acre grass fire caused by a fallen tree on a powerline in Fort Ann was reported on April 9 and extinguished within two hours.

Forest Rangers and local fire departments responded to and contained a 4.1-acre wildland fire in Unadilla, Otsego County on April 9, caused by downed power lines spreading to leaf litter.

DEC Forest Rangers conducted a series of prescribed burns across multiple state forests and preserves in April 2026 to improve wildlife habitat and reduce invasive species. The controlled burns totaled approximately 488 acres across six locations including Otis Pike Pine Barrens, Albany Pine Bush, Long Pond State Forest, Cameron Mills State Forest, and Mashomack Preserve.

Three hikers became lost and unprepared for weather conditions on Haystack Mountain and required assistance from Forest Rangers to return to the trail. Rangers provided food and water and advised checking weather forecasts before hiking.

A 16-year-old jumped from a train trestle into the Hoosick River and was rescued by Forest Ranger Jackson and other emergency responders after becoming stranded on a rock upstream from a waterfall. The subject was extracted using rescue equipment and transported to Albany Medical Center with a lower leg injury.

Two overdue hikers in the Town of Hunter were located safely at Echo Lake lean-to on March 31; the delay resulted from a miscommunication about trip duration with the reporting party.

DEC Forest Rangers conducted prescribed burns totaling 87 acres across two locations in Dutchess and Chenango Counties on March 30 to manage grassland habitat and reduce invasive species.

A 37-year-old hiker became exhausted on the Slide-Cornell-Wittenberg Trail in the Catskills on April 5 after underestimating the difficulty of the route amid heavy rain and fog. Forest Rangers provided assistance, hydration, food, and guided the hiker to the trailhead.

Forest Ranger responded to a grass fire in Little Valley caused by burning wood and rubbish; fire departments extinguished the 0.1-acre fire and the property owner was cited for failure to clear adequate clearance from the fire.

A 1.5-acre wildland fire near railroad tracks in Town of Reading, Schuyler County was started by a train spark and extinguished by multiple fire departments on March 25.

DEC Forest Rangers conducted a controlled prescribed burn of 18 acres at Albany Pine Bush on March 25 as part of land management to reduce invasive species and fuel buildup.

A hiker sustained a lower leg injury on Devil's Path Trail in the Indian Head Wilderness and was rescued by a Forest Ranger on March 29 at 8:30 p.m. The ranger located the hiker near the Platte Clove Road trailhead and transported them to their vehicle for medical attention.

Four hikers became lost on Blackhead Mountain on March 20 and were rescued by Forest Rangers and volunteers after becoming cold, wet, and disoriented. The group was assisted down the Escarpment Trail and provided emergency supplies before reaching the trailhead.

A 10-year-old child went missing near Trumansburg, Tompkins County on March 3. Forest Rangers, State Police, Sheriff's Office, and Fire Department coordinated a search; the child was found and evaluated by EMS.

Two hikers fell on Giant Mountain on March 16, sustaining a wrist injury and facial injuries. Forest Ranger Bowler assisted both hikers to the trailhead, where they were met by EMS.

Forest Rangers responded to a wilderness rescue on Nye Mountain on March 14 when two hikers lost digital navigation access. Rangers located the hikers 1.5 miles up the trail from Indian Pass Brook and escorted them back to Adirondak Loj.

A 33-year-old skier sustained an unstable lower leg injury on the Mount Van Hoevenberg Trail at the Phelps junction on March 8. Forest Rangers splinted the injury and assisted the skier back to South Meadows Road.

Forest Rangers assisted NYSP in locating a 70-year-old who went missing after leaving their residence in Town of Fine, St. Lawrence County. The subject was found walking along a road approximately half a mile from home.

A missing 60-year-old from New Windsor was found deceased on March 6 by Forest Ranger Jahn in a wooded area behind his residence after an initial search began on February 19.

A 60-year-old snowmobiler fell through ice on Forked Lake on February 27 and was rescued by group members and Forest Rangers; no serious injury was reported.

Forest Rangers responded on March 1 to rescue a stranded motorist on an unmaintained seasonal road in North Elba that was blocked by deep snow. DEC issued a reminder for drivers to exercise caution on seasonal, unplowed roads.

Two vehicles became stuck on Stony Lonesome Road seasonal snowmobile trail in Crown Point on February 19; Forest Rangers provided assistance and arranged towing the following day.

A 58-year-old hiker in the Dix Range was reported overdue on February 25 after becoming tired and moving slowly on a planned two-day hike. Forest Rangers located the subject off Lillian Brook trail with mild hypothermia and frostbite on February 26, and a helicopter hoisted them to safety.

Forest Rangers responded to two stranded vehicles on a snowmobile trail off Rock Road in Altona on February 21; one vehicle was freed while the second posed no threat to trail users.

A snowmobile accident occurred on private land in Fulton County on February 20, requiring Forest Ranger assistance and resulting in transport to Nathan Littauer Hospital.

On February 19, a vehicle from Utica became stuck on an unplowed truck trail at Stone Store State Forest while the occupants were attempting to go squirrel hunting. Forest rangers and law enforcement located the truck and coordinated its removal via skid steer.

A 51-year-old hiker from Florida was reported missing on February 24 after failing to check out of lodging. He was last seen on February 19 near Crane Mountain. Forest Rangers located him deceased at the Oxshoe Pond lean-to on February 24 at 7:32 p.m.; NYSP determined the death was a suicide. The Oxshoe Pond lean-to is now closed to the public.

Forest Ranger and NYSP located a missing subject in woods near the Hudson River in Schaghticoke on February 18. The subject, who had expressed suicidal ideation and built a fire for warmth, was safely walked out and transported to hospital.