 |
| Department of Environmental Conservation |
Recent Statewide Forest Ranger Actions
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.
During the first nine months of 2026, Forest Rangers conducted 277 search and rescue missions, extinguished 93 wildfires covering more than 224 acres, and participated in 54 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,355 acres of land. In 2025, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 202 wildfires covering 840 acres, participated in 68 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,649 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,100 tickets and arrests. Also in 2025, 41 Forest Rangers were deployed to fire assignments in 10 different states.
“Our Forest Rangers are elite law enforcement leaders who put their lives on the line when they respond to a search and rescue, wildland fire, or State land violation,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “We’re fortunate to have them patrolling State lands and keeping people safe. Their expertise and professionalism are valuable assets, not only in New York, but around the country wherever emergencies arise.”
 Union Vale wildland fire  |
 | |
Wirt wildland fire  Town of Shandaken Ulster County Wilderness Rescue: On November 3 at 6:02 p.m., Ulster County requested Forest Ranger assistance for an injured hiker on Wittenburg Mountain. Rangers Allwine, Cowart, Lupole, and Martin responded. The 17-year-old had severe leg cramps. Rangers told the hiking party to rest and continue eating and drinking. At 9 p.m., Rangers reached the hiking party and assisted them to the Woodland Valley Campground. Rangers provided more electrolytes and food. The incident was clear at 9:15 p.m. City of Albany Albany County Prescribed Burn: On November 4, Forest Rangers Clute and Griffin joined United States Wildland Fire Service and staff from the Albany Pine Bush to conduct a controlled burn on 10 acres in the Albany Pine Bush. 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 safely conduct. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is 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 ensure safety and meet land management goals.  Albany Pine Bush prescribed burn  Town of Woodstock  Woodstock wildland fire  Village of Burdett Schuyler County Wildland Fire: On November 4 at 2:30 p.m., Forest Ranger Miller responded to a 4.9-acre wildland fire in timber litter on Matthews Road. It was caused by a landowner burning junk mail in a firepit in the woods. By 5:35 p.m., multiple fire departments contained the fire. At 10:05 p.m., the landowner reported increased fire activity. Rangers returned to the scene and determined the fire line containing the wildland fire was still intact. The following morning, four Rangers continued mop-up operations. On November 7, Rangers declared the fire out. Town of Lysander Onondaga County Training: On November 6, Forest Ranger Oldroyd presented the S-130 Field Exercise course for the National Wildfire Coordinating Group training. More than 40 DEC employees and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students participated.  Wildland fire training Town of Hague Warren County Wilderness Rescue: On November 6 at 6:40 p.m., Forest Rangers Donegan and Morehouse responded to a call for a hunter with a possible broken leg approximately a quarter mile north of NYS Route 8. At 8:27 p.m., Rangers arrived, splinted the leg, and assisted the hunter to a Horicon Ambulance. The ambulance transported the 63-year-old from Averil Park to the hospital. Town of Fort Ann Washington County Wilderness Rescue: On November 7 at 11:35 a.m., five Forest Rangers responded to a report of a hiker with a severe ankle injury near the summit of Buck Mountain. At 1:05 p.m., the first Ranger arrived and splinted the injury. At 3:15 p.m., Rangers packaged the 58-year-old from Queensbury into a wheeled litter and transported them to an ambulance. The incident was clear at 6:20 p.m.  Buck Mountain rescue  Town of Denning Ulster County Wilderness Search: On November 7 at 9:55 p.m., Forest Rangers Allwine and Schweider responded to the Denning Trailhead for a report of two hikers separated from their hiking partner. At 11:45 p.m., New York State Police and Rangers Martin and Rusher joined the search. At 3:30 a.m., Ranger Allwine located the 39- and 58-year-olds off trail on Lone Mountain. It was 40 degrees and raining. Ranger Allwine provided warm liquids and walked them out. The incident was clear at 6:25 a.m. Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “Hike Smart NY,” “Adirondack Backcountry,” 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: http://on.ny.gov/ |
No comments:
Post a Comment