ALBANY — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 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 2024, DEC forest rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 122 wildfires covering nearly 6,500 acres, participated in 60 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,155 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted 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.
Town of Elizabethtown, Essex County
Wildland fire: At 2:50 p.m. July 8, while on patrol of Split Rock Falls in Hammond Pond Wild Forest, forest ranger Black discovered an unattended campfire that escaped a rock ring and was burning the pine duff. Three rangers quickly put out the fire.
DEC reminds those camping this summer of these fire safety tips:
— Never leave a campfire unattended. Always keep water and hand tools nearby to control the fire, if necessary. Even a small breeze could cause the fire to spread quickly.
— Drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath.
— Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again. If you do not have water, use dirt. Do not bury your coals as they can smolder and break out.
Town of North Elba, Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: At 6:40 p.m. July 8, Ray Brook dispatch received a call from Garmin about an SOS from a 13-year-old hiking with a camp group who suffered an upper leg injury on Indian Pass near Wallface Mountain. At 8:15 p.m., a New York State Police helicopter inserted forest rangers Curcio and Quinn to the location. Rangers splinted the hiker’s injured leg and harnessed the teenager from Virginia for a successful hoist. At 8:35 p.m., the NYSP helicopter flew the patient to the hospital.
Town of Chesterfield, Essex County
Wildland Fire: On July 12, Ray Brook dispatch received a request from local fire departments for forest ranger assistance with a wildland fire believed to be caused by lightning. Ranger Black shared a unified command with the Keeseville Fire Department. They assigned crews from six fire departments, Keeseville EMS and seven rangers to control the fire. Crews worked overnight and into the next day, containing the two-acre fire by the evening of July 13.