DEC Forest Rangers – Week in Review

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.

In 2021, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 426 search and rescue missions, extinguished wildfires, participated in prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate hundreds of acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in thousands of tickets or arrests.

“Over the last decade, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic, DEC saw an increase in people visiting State lands to experience New York’s abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “DEC’s Forest Rangers continue to be on the front lines to help visitors get outside responsibly and get home safely, as well as to protect our state’s irreplaceable natural resources. Rangers’ knowledge of first aid, land navigation, and technical rescue techniques are critical to the success of their missions, which for more than a century have taken them from remote wilderness areas with rugged mountain peaks, to white water rivers, and throughout our vast forests statewide.”

Town of Kent
Putnam County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 25 at 10:37 a.m., while patrolling White Pond Multiple Use Area, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Ashida and Ranger Cowart overheard the sound of someone falling near the dam. Rangers found the subject on the wooden bridge over the spillway. The 28-year-old from Bay Shore said he slipped on the wet wood and dislocated his knee. Rangers assessed the injury and called Carmel Volunteer Ambulance for additional assessment. The subject refused further medical attention. Rangers helped him to his vehicle, where they waited for relatives to pick him up. Resources were clear at 11:12 a.m.

City of Poughkeepsie
Dutchess County
Public Outreach: On Oct. 26, Forest Rangers Cowart and Sweeney participated in a criminal justice fair at Marist College. The Rangers spoke with students interested in a career in law enforcement, which includes becoming a Forest Ranger. More information about what it takes to become a Forest Ranger can be found on our website.

Rangers Sweeney and Cowart at criminal justice fair at Marist College

Town of Arietta
Hamilton County
Public Service: On Oct. 27, with the help of New York State Police Aviation, Forest Rangers Kerr, Nally, Thompson, and DEC Forester Desantis conducted sling load missions into the West Canada Lake Wilderness. Rangers were dropped off at West Lake and South Lake and received four sling loads of lean-to supplies at each site to replace aging structures. Rangers and Foresters spent the night and hiked out the next day, clearing an estimated 10 miles of trails.

Sling load mission

Town of Middlebury
Wyoming County
Wildlife Assistance: On Oct. 28, Forest Rangers Kennedy and Robitaille, along with Environmental Conservation Police Officer Koepf, assisted DEC wildlife staff with pheasant stocking and staff security at Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area. Nearly 200 birds were released at various locations on State lands during the stocking event.

Pheasant stocking at Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area

Hamlet of Elmont
Nassau County
Public Outreach: On Oct. 29, Forest Ranger Hicks, SUNY Old Westbury Officers Cruickshank and Olivieri, and New York State Park Police Officer Boccia served as the color guard during the national anthem at the New York Islanders game against the Colorado Avalanche. Video can be found at DEC’s website.

Town of Bleeker
Fulton County
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 30 at 1:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a wildland fire off of Lake Edward Road in the town of Bleeker. Three Rangers joined firefighters from six fire departments to work on suppression efforts. By 6:40 p.m., firefighters contained the 18.8-acre fire. One camper trailer was destroyed. Two other structures were protected by fire crews. Rangers are continuing suppression efforts until the fire is declared out. The fire was caused by debris burning.

Village of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 30 at 2 p.m., Forest Ranger Poulton responded to a wildland fire reported as one acre in size on Putnam Mountain. Ranger Poulton determined the fire was actually 11.3 acres at the time of response. Ranger Donegan responded with a six-wheeler and additional tools. Five hours later, fire crews had the fire, which was caused by a campfire, contained after growing to 13.7 acres. Rangers are continuing suppression efforts until the fire is declared out.

Wildfire in Fort Ann

Wildfire in Fort Ann

Towns of Keene and North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescues: On Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker with a lower leg injury near the summit of Mount Marcy. Due to the location and severity of the injury, Rangers Lewis and Praczkajlo called for New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation assistance. NYSP Pilot Kotronis flew the Rangers to the location. Ranger Lewis was lowered down to the injured 40-year-old who fractured their leg after slipping on ice while descending from the summit, sliding approximately 30 feet, and crashing into a rock. Ranger Lewis splinted the injury and put the hiker, from Newark, New York, in a harness. Ranger Praczkajlo hoisted the hiker before hoisting Ranger Lewis. At 3:40 p.m., Pilot Kotronis flew the patient to Adirondack Medical Center for surgery and treatment for her injuries.

At about the same time, Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with another hiker with a leg injury near the Saddleback Cliffs in the town of Keene, Essex County. Pilot Kotronis flew Rangers Lewis and Praczkajlo to the location. Rangers spoke to the 69-year-old from Latham on the phone and guided him to crawl to a safe location for a hoist rescue. The hiker had slipped on an icy and muddy slab, broken his leg, and suffered a laceration to his calf caused by a spruce root. Ranger Lewis was lowered down to harness the subject. Ranger Praczkajlo hoisted the hiker and then Ranger Lewis. At 5:05 p.m., Pilot Kotronis flew the patient to Adirondack Medical Center for surgery and treatment for his injuries.

Both hikers had microspikes, but with ice measuring approximately six inches thick, crampons and an ice axe are suggested to help avoid falls. Without the help of NYSP Aviation, these two rescues would have taken many hours, delaying medical care for the two patients.

Hoist rescue on Mount Marcy

Hoist rescue at Saddleback Cliffs

Hoist rescue at Saddleback Cliffs

Hoist rescue at Saddleback Cliffs

Village of Poland
Herkimer County
Wildland Fire: On Oct. 30 at 12:30 p.m., Forest Rangers McCartney and Murphy responded to a call for a wildland fire on Newport Road in the village of Poland. Rangers estimated the fire was 7.2 acres. Rangers and four fire departments worked together to contain the fire, which was caused by debris burning, by 3 p.m. Rangers are continuing suppression efforts until the fire is declared out.

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.