February 20, 2026

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 2025, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 202 wildfires covering 840 acres, participated in 68 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate 1,649 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,100 tickets and arrests. Also in 2025, 41 Forest Rangers were deployed to fire assignments in 10 different states.

“Our Forest Rangers are elite law enforcement leaders who put their lives on the line when they respond to a search and rescue, wildland fire, or State land violation,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “We’re fortunate to have them patrolling State lands and keeping people safe. Their expertise and professionalism are valuable assets, not only in New York, but around the country wherever emergencies arise.”

Hamlet of Hopewell Junction
Dutchess County
Public Outreach: On February 4, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Ashida and Ranger Grillo joined Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) Rappold and Zullo at a “lunch and learn” program at John Jay High School. Rangers spoke to students about what it takes to become a Forest Ranger. They also showed the high schoolers some of the gear used during search and rescue missions and fire calls.

Lt. Ashida, Ranger Grillo, ECOs Zullo and Rappold

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Recovery: On February 12 at 3:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call through Essex County 911 from a hiker with a dog who said they slipped off the trail near the summit of Mount Marcy and were unable to get back on the trail. The initial response included six Forest Rangers on snowmobiles, one New York State Police Pilot, one Ranger Helicopter Crew Chief, one Ranger Helicopter rescuer, and one Ranger on a tracked utility task vehicle (UTV). New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation responded for a possible hoist rescue. Due to the heavy cloud cover, the two Rangers in the helicopter could not see the missing hiker. At 6:06 p.m., one of the Rangers in the helicopter was inserted into the Marcy Dam Outpost to search on the ground. At 9:51 p.m., a Ranger located the 21-year-old hiker from New Jersey deceased and weather conditions prevented removal from the mountain at that time. Rangers also found the dog alive and hiked it out to safety. On the morning of February 13, NYSP Aviation inserted two Rangers to the site and recovered the hiker.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation offers its condolences to the family.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On February 12 at 8:17 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called Forest Ranger Ordway about a hiker who became lost while hiking Phelps and Tabletop mountains. The hiker’s spouse said they last heard from the hiker at 4:30 p.m. when they were attempting to bushwhack back to the trail. The spouse provided coordinates based on a phone app. Ray Brook Dispatch called the hiker and confirmed they were still lost off trail, but then the call dropped. At 9:41 p.m., Ranger Ordway found the hiker’s vehicle at Adirondak Loj. At 9:47 p.m., the hiker called 911 and provided new coordinates. At 10:30 p.m., Rangers Hamm and O’Connell located the 65-year-old from Arkport. Rangers transported the subject to their vehicle. After talking to the hiker, Rangers determined the subject lost the trail at the summit of Phelps Mountain and was unable to locate the trail using their phone, which died during a 911 call. The hiker paced back and forth to maintain body temperature until Rangers arrived. Resources were clear at 12:09 a.m.

Rangers suggest hiking with a map and compass. While cell phones can be helpful, there are places in the High Peaks without cell service. Phone batteries also drain more quickly in the cold weather. DEC’s website has information about the 10 Hiking Essentials and other details to hike safely.

Town of East Hampton
Suffolk County
Prescribed Burn: On February 13, Forest Rangers Gagne, Gallagher, Hicks, and Scott joined the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests to conduct a prescribed burn on 0.3 acres at Napeague State Park.

Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. This burn was to reduce fuels built up from the significant loss of pitch pine trees from the invasive southern pine beetle. These burns are regulated by law and require technical expertise to safely conduct. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is used to reduce the buildup of wood, timber litter, and other fuel to reduce the potential for wildfires that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. DEC carefully implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.

Rangers Gagne and Hicks work with OPRHP staff at Napeague State Park prescribed burn.

Ranger Gagne works with OPHRHP staff at Napeague State Park prescribed burn.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On February 14 at 3:23 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from the spouse of a hiker who was off trail on Haystack Mountain and getting cold. Forest Rangers called the 51-year-old hiker and determined they were near the summit of Basin Mountain. Rangers talked the hiker back onto the trail. At 7:10 p.m., Rangers Jansen and Jeffery met the hiker on the trail to ensure the hiker was safe and hiked with the subject back to the trailhead.

Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On February 15 at 3:19 p.m., Whiteface Mountain medical services contacted Forest Rangers and Whiteface Ski Patrol to assist three skiers who skied out of bounds into the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness. Rangers made contact with the skiers and determined the three teenagers were uninjured but were stranded in deep snow on top of a cliff. Whiteface Mountain staff provided a ride in a snowcat for four Rangers. At the same time, NYSP Aviation and one Ranger located the group and dropped off sleeping bags for warmth. At 6:07 p.m., Rangers located the skiers warm and in good health. Rangers provided the skiers with snowshoes and headlamps and assisted them back to the resort.

Whiteface Mountain rescue

Whiteface Mountain rescue

Whiteface Mountain rescue

Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On February 15 at 5:10 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a hiker experiencing cardiac issues while hiking Whiteface Mountain between Lookout and Marble mountains. At 6:53 p.m., Rangers Corey and R. Praczkajlo reached the hiker and assisted the 68-year-old to the trailhead where they transferred care to Wilmington EMS. Resources were clear at 8 p.m.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “ Hike Smart NY,” “ Adirondack Backcountry,” 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.

Contact for this Page Jeff Wernick
Press Office
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233

Phone: 518-402-8000 [email protected] This Page Covers New York State Icon