DEC Forest Rangers – Week in Review

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.

As of July 1, Rangers have conducted 139 search and rescue missions in 2025, extinguished 82 wildfires covering nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires that rejuvenated 1,514 acres of land to date. 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 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."

City of Saratoga Springs
Saratoga County
Public Outreach: On Sept. 7, Forest Rangers Baker and Clute joined members of law enforcement from 10 different agencies to talk to those interested in a law enforcement career. They met with dozens of people at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Today is the last day to apply to take the next Civil Service exam scheduled this fall. The exam is a multiple-choice test. All candidates who are qualified to take the entry-level law enforcement exam will receive an admission notice via mail approximately two weeks prior to the date of the written test with additional details. Visit the Civil Service website to learn more.

Rangers Baker and Clute at Law Enforcement recruiting event at SPAC

Town of Moreau
Saratoga County
Prescribed Burn: On Sept. 10, Forest Ranger Clute, additional DEC staff, and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted a prescribed burn on 18 acres of Big Bend Preserve in Moreau Lake State Park. 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 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 implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.

Moreau Lake State Park prescribed burn

Moreau Lake State Park prescribed burn

Town of Fine
St. Lawrence County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from a 65-year-old hiker on the Cranberry 50 trail with a possible food-borne illness. Forest Ranger Ezumah responded by boat across Cranberry Lake to campsite 17. Ranger Ezumah escorted the hiker from Ballston Spa by boat and then to their vehicle in Wanakena. The hiker declined further medical attention and DEC resources were clear at 1:45 p.m.

Town of Cobleskill
Schoharie County
Public Outreach: On Sept. 11, Forest Ranger France spoke to dozens of students at SUNY Cobleskill's student chapter of the Wildlife Society. Ranger France talked about his career as a Ranger and what goes into becoming a Ranger.

Forest Ranger France at SUNY Cobleskill

Town of St. Armand
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 11 at 6:09 p.m., Forest Ranger H. Praczkajlo received a text from Franklin County Dispatch regarding a lost subject on Baker Mountain. DEC Dispatchers provided the 34-year-old from Rochester with a link to a map, but the hiker was unable to get back on trail. Rangers Ordway and Praczkajlo hiked to the subject's location near a cliff and assisted them back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 7:34 p.m.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 13 at 10:50 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call for a hiker with a knee injury at Slant Rock lean-to in John's Brook Valley. Due to the remote location, New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation Pilot Engle and Forest Ranger R. Praczkajlo inserted Rangers Foutch and H. Praczkajlo at the John's Brook Outpost landing zone, approximately two miles from the subject. At 3:20 p.m., Rangers Foutch and H. Praczkajlo reached the 74-year-old from Queensbury and determined a hoist rescue was necessary. NYSP Pilot Engel and Ranger R. Praczkajlo successfully hoisted the patient into the helicopter and flew to an awaiting Keene Valley EMS ambulance.

John's Brook Valley hoist rescue

Hamlet of Edwards
St. Lawrence County
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 13 at 11:15 p.m., New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing 70-year-old with dementia. The subject left their residence between noon and 3 p.m. with a dog. The dog later returned without the subject. Ranger Shea led the Incident Command and directed Ranger Emerson to search a wooded area behind the home. At the same time, a NYSP K-9 unit was also searching in that area and found the subject on a rock outcropping. The patient was dehydrated, exhausted, and mildly hypothermic. Volunteers provided an emergency blanket and water. At 1:45 a.m., volunteer firefighters, Ranger Emerson, and NYSP carried the subject in a litter out of the woods to a UTV that took them to an awaiting ambulance.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC's Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information, 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.