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 Santa Clara
Franklin County
Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 16 at 3:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch transferred a call to Forest Ranger Balerno from two lost skiers. The two 75-year-olds from Saranac Lake were lost near Little Clear Pond in the St. Regis Canoe Area. Rangers Balerno and O'Connor reached the skiers at 5:30 p.m. and assisted them back to their vehicle in the Station Street parking area. Resources were clear at 6:32 p.m.

Village of Wurstboro
Sullivan County
Training: On Jan. 16, Forest Rangers Cowart and Pries led flat ice rescue training for seven Rangers at Bashakill Wildlife Management Area. Rangers practiced self-rescue and subject-rescue techniques.

Outdoor enthusiasts are advised to be aware of essential safety guidelines and make sure ice is thick enough before heading out. Before leaving shore, ice anglers are advised to check the thickness of ice. Four inches of solid, clear ice is usually safe for anglers accessing ice on foot. However, ice thickness can vary between waterbodies and even within the same waterbody, increasing the need to ensure thickness. Anglers should be particularly cautious of areas of moving water and around boat docks and houses where bubblers may be installed to reduce ice from forming. Checking the ice can easily be done with an auger or "spud bar" (a long, metal tool with a chisel on one end) at various spots.

Flat ice rescue training in Wurtsboro

Flat ice rescue training in Wurtsboro

Hamlet of White Lake
Sullivan County
Public Safety: On Jan. 18, Forest Ranger Schweider assisted the White Lake Fire Company and not-for-profit, Sullivan 180 at their "Freeze for a Cure" event. Ranger Schweider worked with members of White Lake Fire and Kauneonga Lake Fire to ensure everyone who took the plunge safely got out of the frozen water. All proceeds went to the Alzheimer's Association.

Freeze for a Cure

Town of Lake Pleasant
Hamilton County
Snowmobile Crash: On Jan. 19 at 1:30 a.m., Forest Rangers Caswell and Hamm responded to a report of a snowmobile accident near Sacandaga Lake off of Fawn Lake Road. The 21-year-old from Piseco had left his group to head home and crashed into a vacant building. The subject's father used cell phone coordinates to locate his overdue son and called 911. Rangers worked with the Lake Pleasant Fire Department to bring the subject to a Speculator ambulance, which transported the snowmobiler to the hospital. Resources were clear at 2:30 a.m.

Snowmobile crash in Lake Pleasant

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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