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.

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."

Village of Red Hook
Dutchess County
Public Outreach: On April 19, Forest Ranger Russo led the "Women in Fire" program at the Red Hook Fire Department to introduce high school girls to the different aspects of the fire service. Ranger Russo showed the teenagers there is a place for women in the fire service, a traditionally male-dominated field. Ranger Russo explained the requirements to become a wildland firefighter, displayed the gear used, and demonstrated how to build a fire line and deploy a fire shelter.

Women in Fire program

Women in Fire program

Towns of Cornwall and Kent, and City of Peekskill
Orange, Putnam, and Westchester Counties
Public Outreach: Ranger Cowart recently participated in several outreach and recruitment events to make valuable community connections. On April 25, Ranger Cowart attended an Earth Day recruiting event for 80 students at Peekskill High School and discussed the specific job requirements and process to become a Forest Ranger. On April 27, the Ranger participated in recruiting day at the Kent Fire Department, and on May 2, met with students at the Cornwall Central High School job fair.

Ranger Cowart at Kent Fire Department

Albany, Chemung, Schuyler, 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 were recently conducted:

• On April 28, Forest Rangers and staff from DEC's Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife conducted a prescribed burn in Albany County on nearly 15 acres of the Louise E. Keir Wildlife Management Area in Coeymans;

• On April 28, Forest Rangers, staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, Fire Wardens, and volunteers conducted a prescribed burn in Schuyler County on nine acres of Coon Hollow State Forest;

• On April 28, Forest Rangers, DEC's Divisions of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, and Marine Resources joined Fire Wardens, Brookhaven National Lab, Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission, and The Nature Conservancy to conduct a 16.5-acre prescribed burn in Suffolk County on Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest;

• On April 28 and May 1, Forest Rangers and additional DEC and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted prescribed burns on 51 acres of the Albany Pine Bush;

• On April 29 and 30, and May 1 Forest Rangers, DEC's Divisions of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, Operations, and Marine Resources joined Brookhaven National Lab, and Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission to conduct prescribed burns in Suffolk County on more than 44 acres on Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area in Brookhaven; and

• On April 30, Forest Rangers, staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Fish and Wildlife, Fire Wardens, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff, and volunteers conducted a prescribed burn in Chemung County on nearly 10 acres at the USDA Plant and Material Center in Big Flats.

Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (Albany County)

Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn (Albany County)

Louise E Keir Wildlife Management Area prescribed burn (Albany County)

Louise E Keir Wildlife Management Area prescribed burn (Albany County)

USDA Plant and Material Center prescribed burn (Chemung County)

Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area prescribed burn (Suffolk County)

Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area prescribed burn (Suffolk County)

Town of Skaneateles
Onondaga County
Wilderness Search: On April 29 at 3:52 p.m., Forest Rangers Chappell and Roberts responded to a request from New York State Police (NYSP) to assist in the search for a missing, despondent 15-year-old. Ranger Chappel followed the coordinates of the subject's cell phone in the middle of the woods. At the same time, a NYSP Trooper located the teenager, unharmed, at the edge of the woods. Resources were clear at 4:50 p.m.

Chemung, Onondaga, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties
Wildland Fires: Between April 28 and May 5, Forest Rangers and local fire departments responded to fires in eight counties across New York State. The fires burned nearly 11 acres. The largest fire was in Veteran, Chemung County, measuring two acres and was caused by a power line. One of the 11 fires was caused by debris burning. DEC reminds New Yorkers that the statewide brush burning ban is in effect through May 14. Violators of the ban are subject to a minimum fine of $500.

The current fire danger map is available on DEC's website.

Butternuts fire (Otsego County)

Cold Spring fire (Putnam County)

Town of Mt. Pleasant
Westchester County
Training: On May 2, Forest Rangers Jahn and Russo taught the basic wildland fire suppression course at the Yonkers career firefighter academy at the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services Fire Training Center. Rangers taught the academy class about wildland fire suppression, mop-up techniques, and resources available in case of a wildland fire in their area. Rangers also showed the recruits all of the tools and personal protective equipment used during wildland fire suppression.

Yonkers career firefighting academy

Town of Phillipstown
Putnam County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 3 at 2:30 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to assist staff from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation with an unconscious hiker a mile and a half up the Breakneck Ridge trail in Hudson Highlands State Park. The hiker was struck by a falling tree. His hiking partner called 911. At 4:10 p.m., Rangers Pries and Russo arrived at the scene where Parks staff, paramedics, and volunteer firefighters were providing care. The 28-year-old from Manhattan had regained consciousness but was suffering from a skull fracture and broken leg. Rangers Jahn, Pries, and Russo joined rescuers from State Parks, New York State Police, and the Cold Spring, Phillipstown, and Wappingers Fire Departments to package the subject into a wheeled litter for transport to an ambulance. Resources were clear at 6 p.m.

Hudson Highlands State Park rescue

Hudson Highlands State Park rescue

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.