In the first half of 2025, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers conducted 139 search and rescue missions, extinguished 82 wildfires that affected nearly 705 acres, and participated in 56 prescribed fires to rejuvenate over 1,500 acres. In comparison, during all of 2024, Rangers carried out 362 search and rescue operations, put out 122 wildfires across almost 6,500 acres, took part in 60 prescribed burns that improved more than 1,155 acres of land, and were involved in cases leading to over 1,200 tickets and arrests.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton stated: “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, Rangers are always ready when emergencies strike. 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.”
From November 14–16 in Syracuse (Onondaga County), Forest Rangers attended the Vital Signs Emergency Medical Services Conference organized by the New York State Department of Health. Ranger Chappell gave a presentation on the history and management of New York’s search and rescue program.
On November 18–19 near Piseco (Hamilton County), Forest Rangers worked with DEC staff from multiple divisions along with New York State Police Aviation for utility flights in West Canada Lake Wilderness Area. They delivered a new lean-to to Cedar Lake and removed debris from a cabin fire on Pillsbury Mountain.
Nine Forest Rangers participated in gondola evacuation training at Gore Mountain (Johnsburg, Warren County) on November 20. They trained alongside ski patrol members from Gore Mountain and staff from the Olympic Regional Development Authority. The exercise included ascending lift towers, traversing cables to reach gondolas, entering cabs from above via belay techniques, then safely lowering occupants to the ground—training aimed at improving rope rescue skills and multiagency coordination.
A wilderness rescue took place on November 21 at Ampersand Mountain (Harrietstown, Franklin County). After receiving a call about an injured hiker with an unstable ankle at the summit around dusk, nine rangers responded. The hiker had fallen on ice without proper traction devices; rangers splinted her ankle and transported her by sled down the mountain before she was taken by family for further medical care.
Rangers remind hikers that even if temperatures are mild at lower elevations there can be snow or ice higher up; safety tips for winter hiking are available through DEC resources online.
On November 22–23 in Essex County’s Santanoni Range near Couchsachraga Peak (Newcomb), rangers assisted a hiking party dealing with hypothermia symptoms. After providing advice over phone communications—including rehydration with warm liquids—the group reached shelter overnight; no further assistance was needed after follow-up contact confirmed everyone was healthy.
That same night near Potter Mountain (Ticonderoga), rangers located an overdue hiker who had failed to pack a flashlight and struggled navigating after dark; he was found safe off-trail later that evening.
In Schuyler County’s Coon Hollow State Forest (Town of Orange) on November 22-23 overnight hours, four rangers joined deputies from Schuyler County Sheriff’s office targeting underage drinking activity. They discovered approximately fifty people gathered around a bonfire; nineteen tickets were issued after assessing which attendees could drive home safely or needed alternate transportation.
The DEC continues urging outdoor enthusiasts to plan ahead before venturing into backcountry areas using its Hike Smart NY initiative along with regional information pages for Adirondack or Catskill backcountry travel.
