The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers have continued their work in search and rescue, wildfire response, and public safety across the state. As of July 1, 2025, Rangers conducted 139 search and rescue missions this year, extinguished 82 wildfires covering nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires that helped rejuvenate 1,514 acres of land. In the previous year, they responded to a higher number of incidents: 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 122 wildfires on nearly 6,500 acres, took part in 60 prescribed burns rejuvenating over 1,155 acres, and worked on cases resulting in more than 1,200 tickets and arrests.
“DEC’s Forest Rangers bravely protect State-owned and managed lands, as well as the people who use them. Whether conducting a search and rescue call or responding to a wildfire burning out of control, Rangers are always ready when emergencies strike,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “Every day and in all conditions, Forest Rangers demonstrate their expertise and leadership in protecting the public and State lands, serving as role models for the next generation of environmental stewards. DEC encourages interested New Yorkers to visit DEC’s website to learn how to become the next New York State Forest Ranger.”
Recent incidents highlight the variety of calls handled by DEC Forest Rangers:
In Lewisboro (Westchester County), off-duty Lieutenant Gullen assisted a cliff jumper with a back injury at a lake on August 30. Gullen swam to the injured person after being alerted by nearby calls for help. He performed an assessment in the water and stabilized the patient using a paddleboard before bringing them to shore for EMS transport.
In Keene (Essex County), on August 31 into September 4, three rangers responded overnight to reports of smoke from Noonmark Mountain. They found a fire near Gravestone Brook caused by lightning. With assistance from New York State Police aviation support delivering equipment like pumps and hoses, rangers contained what was determined to be a one-acre fire burning deep into organic material.
On September 1-2 in Arietta (Hamilton County), rangers investigated reports from hikers about a fire at Whitney Lake in West Canada Lakes Wilderness. The quarter-acre fire was contained after overnight efforts.
In Shandaken (Ulster County) on September 3-8, rangers addressed an unattended campfire that spread near Rocky Mountain’s summit—a remote area requiring several miles’ hike-in access. Despite rainfall efforts included removing hazardous trees and using hand tools; aviation bucket drops were also used before all heat was eliminated.
Manlius (Onondaga County) saw rangers join local police departments searching for a missing elderly resident with dementia on September 3; she was located safely by Manlius Fire Department personnel after coordinated ground searches including bloodhounds and drones.
Thurman (Warren County) required ranger assistance with local fire departments when a structure fire spread into brushland on September 4; crews quickly contained it at about one-quarter acre.
Salem (Washington County) involved wilderness recovery efforts beginning September 5 after a missing person report; multiple agencies participated until the individual was found deceased by ranger-led crews on September 6.
Keene saw another search operation starting September 7 when two Michigan hikers became separated around Mount Marcy-Skylight Mountain area; both were eventually located by teams during nighttime hours then reunited safely at Adirondack Loj.
Those interested in becoming Forest Rangers can apply until September 17 for an upcoming Civil Service exam—details are available via the Civil Service website.
Hikers are reminded to plan ahead before entering backcountry areas using resources such as Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information, or Catskill Backcountry Information pages.
For emergencies involving search-and-rescue or wildfires—or illegal activity reporting—people should call either 833-NYS-RANGERS or 911 for urgent needs. Contact information for regional forest rangers is listed on the DEC website.
