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 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.

"Whether they are leading complex search and rescue incidents, suppressing wildfires, enforcing laws on State lands and easements, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, or encouraging responsible recreation, Forest Rangers stand ready to help when called," DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Maharsaid. "Forest Rangers' wide-ranging expertise and collaboration with local, State, and federal partners are instrumental in protecting New York's public lands and the many visitors who use them."

Village of Oriskany
Oneida County
Forest Ranger Academy: The 24^th Basic School for Forest Rangers completed three weeks of intensive training at the State Preparedness Training Center operated by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). The recruits completed training in hazardous materials operations for first responders, emergency vehicle operations, initial response to active shooters, and swift water/flood rescue training.

Swift water and flood rescue training

Swift water and flood rescue training

Emergency vehicle operations training

Emergency vehicle operations training

City of Syracuse
Onondaga County
Wildland Fire Training: On Oct. 18, Forest Rangers instructed the field portion of a wildland firefighter class for 45 students at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF.) The S130 class is a National Wildfire Coordinating Group-certified course. Rangers led the certification efforts with support from SUNY ESF faculty, graduate students, and staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

Wildland firefighter class

Wildland firefighter class

Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On Oct. 22 at 3 p.m., Essex County 911 contacted Ray Brook Dispatch to request Forest Ranger assistance with two hikers lost on the Cobble Lookout trail in Wilmington Wild Forest. At 5:14 p.m., Forest Ranger DuChene located the 20-year-old from France and 21-year-old from Canada and helped the pair back to the trailhead.

Town of Riverhead
Suffolk County
Prescribed Fire: On Oct. 23, the New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy conducted a prescribed fire on 3.3 acres in the Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest. Forest Ranger Captain Jackson, Lieutenant Carpenter, and Ranger Gallagher participated in the interagency burn along with students to meet the requirements of two courses at the Academy.

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 also 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.

Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest prescribed fire

Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest prescribed fire

Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest prescribed fire crew

Towns of Berkshire, Boonville, Caton, Dover, Howard, Kortright, Lawrence, Lysander, Monroe, Moriah, Plattekill, Potsdam, Ramapo, and Southport, Cities of Ithaca andChemung
Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, and Ulster Counties
Wildland Fires: Recent dry and windy conditions have resulted in numerous wildfires across the state. On Oct. 23, Forest Rangers responded to eight wildland fires in seven counties. The causes of these fires include unattended campfires and debris burning. Multiple tickets were issued for leaving campfires unattended and not clearing three feet around a fire. The largest of the fires was in the town of Berkshire, Tioga County, measuring nearly 24 acres. Rangers and firefighters also extinguished a 20-acre fire in the town of Lawrence, St. Lawrence County. Rangers and firefighters contained a fire in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County to 12 acres. The other fires were less than 1.5 acres in size.

On Oct. 24 at 2 a.m., Forest Rangers responded to a nine-acre fire in Sterling Forest State Park, and by 12:45 p.m., firefighters had the fire contained. Also on Oct. 24, Rangers responded to two fires in Steuben County and one in Oneida County. Each of those fires was under three acres in size.

On Oct. 25 at 1 a.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a fire on Hemlock Ridge Multiple Use Area in Plattekill. The steep terrain and rocky slope impeded a full containment line around the 46-acre fire. Eight Rangers, four DEC volunteers, 75 fire department members, and New York State Police Aviation helped get the fire under control.

On Oct. 27, Forest Rangers responded to a 13.5-acre fire in Ramapo, Rockland County, and an 18.5-acre fire in Dover, Dutchess County.

Conditions continue to result in a "High" fire danger in certain regions. A high fire danger means all fine, dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes, including unattended brush and campfires. Fires may become serious and controlling them difficult unless attacked successfully while still small. An updated fire danger map is available on the DEC website. While the statewide burn ban is no longer in effect, brush burning should be conducted only when absolutely necessary. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.

For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.

Berkshire fire

Plattekill fire

Plattekill fire

Ramapo fire

City of Utica
Oneida County
Public Outreach: On Oct. 23, Forest Rangers McCartney and Murphy participated in a criminal justice and emergency services career expo at Mohawk Valley Community College. Rangers spoke to high school and college students about Forest Ranger job duties. Rangers also set up an interactive exhibit of equipment used on wilderness rescues.

Ranger Murphy at Mohawk Valley Community College career expo

Village of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 23 at 2 p.m., Forest Rangers Clute and Hess responded to a call for a hiker with an ankle injury on Buck Mountain. At 5 p.m., Rangers reached the 35-year-old from South Carolina and requested paramedic assistance to stabilize the patient's ankle. The hiker had fallen and injured her ankle before her 85-pound dog fell on the ankle, as well. Ranger Hess assisted North Queensbury EMS to the location. They stabilized the subject's ankle, provided pain medication, and assisted her 1.5 miles back to the trailhead where an ambulance transported her to the hospital. Resources were clear at 6:10 p.m.

Village of Herkimer
Herkimer County
Promotion: On Oct. 25, Acting Director Cavanagh officially pinned Adirondack Branch Major Hoag. After graduating from the 16^th Academy, Major Hoag is in his 20^th year as a Forest Ranger and has served in DEC regions three, four, and six. As Adirondack Branch Manager, Major Hoag oversees regions five and six.

Major Hoag pinned by Acting Director Cavanagh

Town of Stratford
Fulton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 25 at 7:26 p.m., Fulton County requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hunter who was thought to have suffered a stroke in the woods. Three Rangers responded along with Stratford Fire and EMS. At 9 p.m., they reached the 84-year-old from Johnstown, packaged him in a litter, and drove him out on an ATV to a waiting ambulance, which took him to a LifeNet helicopter for transport to the hospital.

Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 26 at 9:25 a.m., Forest Ranger Dempf responded to a call for a subject who had collapsed on the trail near Kaaterskill Falls. At 9:40 a.m., Ranger Dempf reached the 53-year-old from New Jersey and the rest of his hiking party. The subject was conscious and alert but showed signs of overexertion. Ranger Dempf provided sustenance, and with the help of Greene County Paramedics and Tannersville Fire, assisted the subject to the top of the trail to an awaiting UTV, which transported him to a Hunter ambulance. The subject declined an ambulance ride to the hospital and decided to seek further medical care on his own. Resources were clear at 10:52 a.m.

DEC encourages hikers to make sure they are hydrated and well-nourished before heading out for a hike. DEC also encourages to plan ahead and prepare, and bring extra food and water in case their hike takes longer than expected. Tips to Hike Smart NY are available on the DEC website.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 26 at 1:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with a lower leg injury on Mount Marcy. New York State Police Pilot Engel flew Forest Rangers Lewis and O'Connor to the scene. Ranger Lewis lowered Ranger O'Connor down to the 45-year-old from Lockport. Ranger O'Connor stabilized the hiker's broken leg, and Ranger Lewis hoisted the subject into the helicopter so they could fly to the hospital. Ranger O'Connor escorted the subject's husband to Adirondak Loj. Resources were clear at 7 p.m.

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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