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 2022, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 359 search and rescue missions, extinguished 162 wildfires covering more than 1,300 acres, participated in 53 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate nearly 900 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.
“With more people visiting State lands and enjoying New York’s myriad, world-class outdoor recreational opportunities, DEC’s Forest Rangers are on the front lines to help visitors get outside responsibly and get home safely,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Each day, these highly trained first responders are protecting irreplaceable natural resources and utilizing their expert knowledge of wildland fire suppression, wilderness first aid, land navigation, law enforcement, and technical rescue techniques to successfully execute critical missions for DEC and our countless local, state, and national partners.”
Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 12 at 1:26 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker who fell on the Cascade Trail and was unresponsive. Forest Ranger Lewis called the subject who explained he has a history of seizures. Ranger Lewis reached the 32-year-old from New Jersey by 2 p.m. and helped them to the trailhead. Resources were clear by 2:30 p.m.
Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 12 at 7:56 p.m., Forest Rangers Duchene, Lewis, and Praczkajlo responded to a call for two lost subjects on Hamlin Mountain. One of the hikers reported facial injuries from a significant fall. At 10:49 p.m., Rangers reached the two hikers and treated the 70-year-old from Olivebridge for a broken nose and arm and hand injuries. The hikers lost the trail on their way down from the summit and ended up in hazardous terrain. Due to the darkness, the hiker fell and slid 30 feet down a rock slab and hit his face on a rock. His hiking partner found him bleeding and called for help. After treating the hiker’s injuries, Rangers provided head lamps and helped the pair out of the woods. The hikers drove themselves to the hospital. Resources were clear by 1 a.m. Ranger DuChene and the two hikers explain their experience (video, 148 MB).
Hamlin Mountain rescue
Town of Chesterfield
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 14 at 2:47 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker with a broken collarbone and fractured arm on Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain. Local Fire and EMS provided care to the 17-year-old. Forest Rangers helped transport the patient to an ambulance at the trailhead. Resources were clear by 6:30 p.m.
Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 15 at 3:10 p.m., Forest Rangers Caswell and Scott responded to a report of a hiker with a possible hip injury on Snowy Mountain. Rangers joined Indian Lake and Speculator Fire and EMS to treat the 67-year-old from Gloversville. The hiker fell back and landed on her hip. Rescue crews stabilized the injury and loaded the subject into a wheeled litter. At 5:18 p.m., a Life Net helicopter met them at the trailhead and transported the patient to the hospital.
Snowy Mountain rescue
Snowy Mountain rescue
Town of Arietta
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 15 at 7:48 p.m., Forest Rangers Caswell and Scott responded to a report of a hiker with a knee injury on the Northville Placid Trail, approximately two miles from the trailhead. Rangers reached the two hikers by 9 p.m., helped the injured 41-year-old from Pittsford, and assisted the pair back to the trailhead. The injured hiker sought further medical care on his own.
Town of Cheektowaga
Erie County
Public Outreach: On Sept. 16, Forest Ranger Thaine represented the Forest Rangers at the 23rd annual Fall Festival at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. At the annual event, multiple DEC divisions and partner organizations provide educational presentations, displays, and activities for attendees of all ages. Ranger Thaine talked about the Rangers’ role in fire suppression, how fires are caused, suppression techniques, and prevention efforts, including investigation and enforcement. Smokey Bear was on hand to reinforce the message that many fires are human-caused and can be prevented with care and precaution. Ranger Thaine displayed wildfire equipment used by Rangers and gave children a chance to try a backpack water pump by spraying water at a mock fire target.
Ranger Thaine and Smokey Bear at Reinstein Woods
Hamlet of Lanesville
Greene County
Wilderness Recovery: On Sept. 16 at 8:50 a.m., a hiker complaining of chest discomfort and breathing issues collapsed on the Diamond Notch Trail in the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness. Members of the subject’s hiking party began CPR while another hiker called 911. Two nearby EMTs began assisting with CPR on the 50-year-old from New Jersey. The CPR was unsuccessful. Forest Rangers Allwine and Seeley assisted other first responders with carrying the subject to the trailhead where he was turned over to the coroner. New York State Police is the lead agency on the death investigation. Resources were clear at 1 p.m.
Town of Pinckney
Lewis County
State Land Protection: On Sept. 16, Forest Rangers Hanno and Thomes conducted a stationary patrol on Mile Strip Road in the Tug Hill State Forest. Mile Strip Road is a seasonal road and part of the snowmobile trail system, but not open for ATV use. Rangers issued 10 tickets for illegal operation of an ATV/UTV.
Forest Rangers issuing tickets for illegal ATV use
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.
