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.

"From wildfires, to floods, to search and rescue operations, whenever emergencies strike, DEC's Forest Rangers are always the first to jump into action," DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. "I commend our Rangers for their heroic work to keep New Yorkers and our visitors safe in some of the most adverse conditions in the world, and for leading the state's response to emergency situations. Their efforts to inspire the next generation of safe and responsible outdoor enthusiasts are instrumental in DEC's efforts to support the outdoor recreation economy, and I encourage all New Yorkers interested in joining our ranks to visit DEC's website to learn how to become the next New York State Forest Ranger and be part of their historic legacy of protecting New York's forests."

Town of Plainfield
Otsego County
Illegal Dumping: On Dec. 14, Forest Ranger Laymon was patrolling Plainfield State Forest and discovered a load of pallets and construction waste. While sifting through the debris, Ranger Laymon found a serial number on a commercial freezer unit. The Ranger and Environmental Conservation Police Investigator Sherman tracked down the serial number to a restaurant. On Jan. 3, Rangers Cleinman and Laymon and Investigator Sherman determined who was responsible for the illegal dumping and issued the 34-year-old a ticket for depositing debris on State land. The subject is also required to remove the debris.

Illegal dumping in Plainfield State Forest

Hamlet of Brasher Falls
St. Lawrence County
Ice Rescue: On Jan. 7 at 11:05 a.m., Forest Rangers Ellis and Ezumah responded to a subject stranded on the ice on the St. Regis River. The subject's snowmobile went through the ice in an area alongside the river. Ranger Ellis assisted the New York State Police Dive Team to escort the subject off the ice. A private tow company retrieved the snowmobile. Resources were clear at 11:53 a.m.

Town of Neversink
Sullivan County
Training: On Jan. 9 and 10, Forest Ranger Lieutenant LaPierre led the Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness First Responder training for 24 Rangers at the Frost Valley YMCA. The refresher course covered recognizing medical emergencies, basic life-saving skills, patient assessment, and field care.

Village of Speculator
Hamilton County
Snowmobile Crash: On Jan. 11 at 12:43 p.m., Forest Rangers Nally and Thompson responded to a call for a snowmobile accident in the Speculator Tree Farm Conservation Easement. Two riders from New Jersey with limited snowmobile experience had crashed in the woods. One rider suffered leg and shoulder injuries; the other sustained cuts and bruises. Rangers assisted Lake Valley EMS, Speculator EMS by keeping the patients warm with a hypo-wrap while waiting to be evacuated. At 3:30 p.m., the subjects were taken to the hospital for further care. DEC encourages snowmobilers to follow posted speed limits and to practice caution.

Snowmobile crash in Speculator

Snowmobile crash in Speculator

Town of Cherry Creek
Chautauqua County
Law Enforcement: On Jan. 11, while patrolling Boutwell Hill State Forest, Forest Rangers checked more than 150 snowmobiles. Rangers issued multiple tickets for illegal mufflers and registration violations. Local snowmobile clubs recently closed down sections of trail on private property due to landowner complaints of snowmobilers riding off designated trails and riding with loud mufflers.

Snowmobile compliance checks in Boutwell Hill State Forest

Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 11 at 3:53 p.m., 10 Forest Rangers responded to a call for a subject who had been struck in the head by falling ice at the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls. Within 20 minutes, Rangers were alerted to a second victim injured by the same chunk of ice. At 4:17 p.m., Rangers reached both subjects. Rangers secured the first subject, a 29-year-old from Brooklyn, in a litter and wheeled her back to Laurel House Road where they were met by a Hunter ambulance. Rangers received assistance from Greene County Paramedics, Greene County Sheriff's Office, Tannersville Rescue, and Twin Cloves Rescue. The second subject was able to walk out on their own. Resources were clear at 7:30 p.m.

DEC reminds visitors to Kaaterskill Falls to use micro spikes for better traction in winter and to be aware of overhead ice dangers. Additional winter hiking safety tips can be found on DEC's website.

Ice injury extraction at Kaaterskill Falls

Ice at Kaaterskill Falls

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.

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