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."

Hamlet of Wanakena
St. Lawrence County
Forest Ranger Academy: The 24th Basic School for Forest Rangers completed week nine of training at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Ranger School. The recruits completed training in incident management, community and victim resources, and several law courses including Environmental Conservation Law related to State Land protection and vessel operations. All members completed and passed the second Physical Abilities Test. Those interested in future opportunities to become a Forest Ranger are encouraged to apply by Aug. 14 to take the next civil service exam scheduled for this fall. Visit the Civil Service website.

Water rescue training

Physical abilities test

Town of Carmel
Putnam County
Public Outreach: On July 15, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Ashida and Ranger Russo presented at the Carmel Police Department Youth Academy. The six-day program introduced 20 middle school students to different careers in policing. Forest Rangers showed the students the gear utilized in rescue, fire, and law enforcement. One student told a parent he thinks being a Forest Ranger "sounds like an exciting job."

Lt. Ashida and Ranger Russo at Carmel Police Youth Academy

Town of Webb
Herkimer County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 15, at 11:17 a.m., Herkimer County requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker with an unstable ankle injury on Rondaxe Mountain. Seven Forest Rangers and an Assistant Forest Ranger responded with the Eagle Bay, Old Forge, and Webb Fire Departments. Rescue crews reached the 53-year-old from Pennsylvania and secured her in a wheeled litter. Rangers used rope techniques to lower the subject through several steep sections along the trail. At 12:37 p.m., the rescue team reached a waiting ambulance in the parking area. Resources were clear at 1:30 p.m.

Rondaxe Mountain rescue

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 15, at 5:30 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a dehydrated hiker between Upper and Lower Wolfjaw Mountains. New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation was called in to assist. Ranger O'Connor lowered Ranger Praczkajlo down from the helicopter. At 6:37 p.m., the subject was outfitted with a harness and hoisted into the helicopter. NYSP Pilot Beck flew the injured subject to the hospital.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 15, at 5:40 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a subject with a knee injury 1.5 miles from Marcy Dam on the Mount Van Hoevenberg trail. The Marcy Dam caretaker helped the hiker to the outpost. At 8 p.m., Ranger Corey reached the 62-year-old from California and helped her back to her vehicle.

Town of Webb
Herkimer County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 16, at 12:50 p.m., five Forest Rangers responded to a call for a hiker with a lower leg injury on Rondaxe Mountain. Old Forge Fire and EMS splinted the subject's fractured heel. Rangers used rope techniques to lower the 51-year-old from Avon through several steep sections along the trail. At 2:18 p.m., crews reached a waiting Old Forge ambulance. Inlet and Eagle Bay Fire Departments assisted with the rescue.

Rescue crews help hiker with broken heel

City of Niagara Falls
Niagara County
Ranger Honored: On July 17, Forest Ranger Laymon was honored with a Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award by the American Legion, Department of New York. Ranger Laymon was presented the award for his heroic efforts rescuing an ice fisherman in Basswood Pond in Otsego County on Jan. 6.

Ranger Laymon receives Officer of the Year Award from the American Legion

City of Rome
Oneida County
Storm Response: On July 18, Forest Rangers joined DEC Emergency Management staff to assist with cleanup efforts after a tornado touched down in the city. On July 19, all city roads were reopened, and by July 20, all crews from the Incident Command Post at Griffiss Technology Park were clear.

Rome incident command

Rome tornado damage

Rome tornado damage

Village of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Search: On July 18, at 2:52 p.m., Forest Ranger St. Claire responded to a call for two hikers off trail on Buck Mountain. Coordinates placed the pair from Schenectady approximately a tenth of a mile off the trail and 1.5 miles from the trailhead. At 5:45 p.m., Ranger St. Claire located the two subjects and helped them back to the trail and down to their vehicle.

Town of Henrietta
Monroe County
Wilderness Search: On July 18, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kennedy and Rangers Cooley, Cordell, Dormer, and Miller assisted the Monroe County Sheriff's Department with a missing subject last seen June 20. Rangers performed area searches of densely covered marshes. The Monroe County Special Operations Team and Henrietta Fire Department also assisted the search. Search operations produced negative results, and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department continues their investigation.

Search for missing subject in Henrietta

Town of Harrietstown
Franklin County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 19, at 3:22 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker with an ankle injury near the summit of Ampersand Mountain. Rangers reached the 29-year-old from Syracuse, splinted her ankle, and helped her back to the trailhead where she declined further medical attention. Resources were clear at 8:24 p.m.

Rangers rescue hiker on Ampersand Mountain

Town of Santa Clara
Franklin County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 19, at 4 p.m., Forest Rangers Baldwin and Black responded to a call for a hiker with an ankle injury on St. Regis Mountain. Rangers reached the 50-year-old from New Jersey, wrapped her ankle, and helped her down the mountain. Resources were clear at 9:50 p.m.

Village of Saranac Lake
Franklin County
Wilderness Search: On July 20, at 12:13 a.m., Franklin County 911 received a distress text about multiple lost subjects near the Second Pond boat launch. Forest Ranger O'Connor made phone contact with the two subjects from Canada who advised they had wandered down the shoreline from their campsite and didn't know how to get back. Rangers Bowler and O'Connor found the subjects approximately 1,500 feet down the shoreline from their campsite and escorted them back. Resources were clear at 2 a.m.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 20, at 1:43 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with an unstable ankle injury on Cascade Mountain approximately 0.8 of a mile from the trailhead. Four Forest Rangers and an Assistant Forest Ranger helped carry the 31-year-old from Baldwinsville back to the trailhead where she decided to seek further medical attention on her own. Resources were clear at 4:49 p.m.

Cascade Mountain rescue

Cascade Mountain rescue

Town of Peru
Clinton County
Camper Injured: On July 20, at 2:55 p.m., Forest Ranger Holdridge responded to a report of a subject with a possible concussion at the Ausable Campground beach. The 40-year-old suffered a head injury while playing volleyball and reported a previous concussion. Ranger Holdridge kept the patient comfortable until Peru EMS arrived to evaluate their injuries.

Town of Rockland
Sullivan County
Law Enforcement: On July 20, at 11:52 p.m., the Mongaup Campground Caretaker requested Forest Ranger assistance with campers refusing to adhere to campsite quiet hours rules. At 1:44 a.m., Forest Rangers issued tickets for the noise complaint.

Village of Saranac Lake
Franklin County
Bear Encounter: On July 21, at 12:25 a.m., a camper at Fish Creek Campground reported a bear had opened a cooler and refused to leave the area. At 3:20 a.m., Rangers responded to the scene, but the bear was already gone. Ranger Adams issued tickets for leaving a campsite in unsanitary conditions. The bear did not cause any damage.

Using a bear-resistant canister is the most effective way to prevent bears from becoming emboldened to obtain food from back-country campers. Campers should also keep a clean camp and remove food scraps or trash from their fire ring or grill. More tips to avoid bear encounters is available on the DEC website.

Town of Webb
Herkimer County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 21, at 3:25 p.m., Forest Rangers McCartney and Pelrah responded to a call for two overturned kayakers on the Moose River. By 4:44 p.m., the 44-year-old from Webster and 47-year-old from Leroy were both safe and out of the water. Rangers retrieved the kayak that was pinned by a downed tree and helped both subjects back to their vehicle. Resources were clear at 5:15 p.m.

Kayak stuck on Moose River

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Recue: On July 21, at 5:20 p.m., Forest Ranger Lewis responded to a report of an unresponsive subject in a vehicle at Adirondack Mountain Reserve. The subject had finished a hike with her brother before passing out in the car. When Ranger Lewis arrived, she was unconscious, but breathing. Ranger Lewis checked the subject's vitals and kept Keene Valley EMS updated on the radio as it made its way to the scene. At 6:16 p.m., Keene Valley EMS transported the subject to the hospital.

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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