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."

Town of Arietta
Hamilton County
Storm Cleanup: During the summer, several tornados and microbursts touched down in Hamilton, Fulton, and Saratoga counties. Significant damage occurred to the Northville Placid Trail south of Piseco, making the trail difficult to navigate. Due to the extent of the damage and safety concerns, Northville Supervising Forester DeSantis obtained an emergency authorization to open the trail in the wilderness sections. Forest Rangers Nally and Thompson, Supervising Forester DeSantis, Forester Acuna, and the Northville Placid Trail crew worked for a week clearing, signing, and reclaiming the trail over a seven-mile section. The trail reopened in time for Northville Placid Trail's 100-year anniversary celebrations in several Adirondack communities.

Northville Placid Trail storm damage

Town of Guilderland
Albany County
Prescribed Fires: On Sept. 5, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Mitchell, four Rangers, staff and volunteers from DEC's Division of Lands and Forests, Albany Pine Bush, and the National Park Service conducted a prescribed fire on 13 acres in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

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.

Albany Pine Bush prescribed fire crew

Prescribed fire at Albany Pine Bush

Prescribed fire at Albany Pine Bush

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 3 at 2 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with an ankle injury approximately three miles from the summit of Mount Jo. Forest Rangers Curcio, Evans, and Rooney hiked in and assisted the 33-year-old from Canada back to his campsite where he decided to seek further medical attention on his own. Resources were clear at 4:30 p.m.

Town of Piercefield
St. Lawrence County
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 4 at 10 p.m., New York State Police was notified about a missing hiker on the Mount Arab trail. Forest Rangers Benzel and Corey interviewed the missing subject's hiking companion who said the pair became separated on the way down the trail. At 11:15 p.m., Ranger Corey located the 45-year-old from Croghan. Rangers Corey and Ellis assisted the subject to an ambulance at the trailhead. Piercefield EMS warmed the subject and released her back to her hiking partner. Resources were clear at 12:32 a.m.

Town of Harrietstown
Franklin County
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 4 at 10:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch notified Forest Ranger Corey of an overdue hiker in the Seward Mountain Range. The hiker's friend called to report the 23-year-old from Massachusetts was hiking alone and should have been back by 7:30 p.m. At 11:14 p.m., Ranger Ordway located the missing hiker's vehicle at the Seward Mountain trailhead. Rangers Corey and Nahor joined the search. At 2:01 a.m., Rangers located the subject at the Calkins Brook trail. While hiking down earlier in the evening, the hiker ran out of daylight and her phone died, which was her only source for navigation and light. Rangers reached the trailhead with the hiker at 2:50 a.m.

While phones can be useful, in the wilderness they can lose their charge quickly. It is important to have a map and compass and know how to use them. A headlamp or other light source is also a necessity; phones should not be relied on for light. Hikers are advised to 'Hike Smart' and prepare before a hike. Visit Hike Smart NY to learn more.

Village of Oriskany
Oneida County
Training: On Sept. 5-6, three Forest Rangers trained 15 individuals from the New York State Search and Rescue Team Federation (NYSFEDSAR) at the New York State Preparedness and Training Center. The course was developed for those who lead volunteer search and rescue crews assisting Forest Rangers during wildland search and rescue incidents. The training included search incident organization, response to an incident, receiving an operational period briefing, crew composition and supervision, crew assignments, map and compass/land navigation, and wildland survival skills. The training culminated with a field exercise during which search team crew bosses put their new skills to the test. More information about becoming a NYSFEDSAR volunteer is available on their website.

Crew boss training crew

Crew boss training

Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 6 at 1:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Hamilton County 911 about an SOS beacon that had been activated on the Northville Placid Trail in the Blue Ridge Wilderness. A 70-year-old from Pennsylvania had fallen approximately 10 feet while transitioning from a foot bridge to the trail and landed head-first in a rock pile. A member of his hiking party is a wilderness first responder and reported head and possible spinal cord injuries. At 2:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Milano and Snye reached the subject. A total of seven Rangers used a backpack litter to carry the subject 1.5 miles to Indian Lake EMS and a LifeNet helicopter, which flew the patient to the hospital. Resources were clear at 5:30 p.m.

Northville Placid Trail rescue

Northville Placid Trail rescue

Hamlet of Schodack Landing
Rensselaer County
Training: On Sept. 6-8, seven Forest Rangers and two members of DEC's Division of Emergency Management participated in the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs' annual Empire Challenge Exercise. The training at Schodack Island State Park focused on interagency communication, especially radio communication interoperability during a wildfire scenario. Forest Rangers regularly train and integrate with military crews onboard helicopters to conduct bucket drops during wildfires. Rangers also shared their knowledge and experience when it comes to ATV/UTV use during fires. New York Air National Guard, New York Army National Guard, New York Guard, New York Naval Militia, Civil Air Patrol, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Schodack Landing Volunteer Fire Department, and amateur radio operators all participated.

Empire Challenge training

Empire Challenge training

Empire Challenge training

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 7 at 11:45 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker who could not continue hiking on Lower Wolfjaw Mountain and reported extreme fatigue. Forest Rangers Curcio and Rooney reached the 22-year-old from Troy and assisted him and his hiking partner back to the road and their vehicle. Resources were clear at 3:35 p.m.

It's important to train for a hike prior to attempting a high peak. Starting with easier hikes and working up to the High Peaks is encouraged. If a hiker realizes the hike is more than they can handle, they should turn around and try again another day rather than pushing limits and needing to call for a rescue.

Town of Orwell
Oswego County
UTV Accident: On Sept. 7 at 5:56 p.m., Forest Ranger Petit responded to a UTV accident. Ranger Petit assisted medical personnel at the scene with care of the four patients. All four were taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Town of Webb
Herkimer County
Water Rescue: On Sept. 8 at 11:44 a.m., Forest Ranger Lee responded to a call for four boaters in need of assistance at Stillwater Reservoir. Strong winds and rough water caused the boats to fill with water and nearly capsize. A good Samaritan transported two of the subjects to shore. The remaining pair stayed with the two boats. Ranger Lee used a Ranger boat to assist. The Ranger boat and a passerby's boat broke the waves and blocked the wind, allowing the two remaining boaters to make it back to the boat launch. Ranger Lee retrieved the group's lost gear and returned it to them at the boat launch at 3 p.m.

Town of Hunter
Greene County
Wilderness Search: On Sept. 8 at 5 p.m., Forest Rangers Fox and Seeley responded to a call for a hiker who got lost descending Kaaterskill High Peak. Ranger Lieutenant Breigle made phone contact with the subject and determined he was on a snowmobile trail. Rangers located the hiker and led him out of the woods. Resources were clear at 7:26 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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