DEC Forest Rangers - Week in Review

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 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets and arrests.

"Whether they are leading complex search and rescue incidents, suppressing wildfires, enforcing laws on State lands and easements, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards, or encouraging responsible recreation, Forest Rangers stand ready to help when called," DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Maharsaid. "Forest Rangers' wide-ranging expertise and collaboration with local, State, and federal partners are instrumental in protecting New York's public lands and the many visitors who use them."

Town of Berlin
Rensselaer County
Wilderness Recovery: On March 19, a Massachusetts Department of Public Works plow driver noticed a car at the Berlin Pass trailhead in Williamstown that had been parked at that location since March 11. The vehicle was 700 feet from the New York border near Taconic Ridge State Forest. Massachusetts State Police requested Forest Ranger assistance with a search for the 40-year-old owner of the car who had last been seen March 7. Search operations over the next three days included 18 Forest Rangers and members of DEC's Divisions of Law Enforcement and Emergency Management, New York State Police (NYSP), Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Emergency Management, Williamstown Police, Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue (BMSAR), Central Massachusetts Search and Rescue, and the Berlin, Grafton, and Petersburgh Fire Departments. After three days, Massachusetts State Police suspended the continuous search due to weather pending further investigation. Rangers and BMSAR continued searching the area of Taconic Ridge State Forest over the next few weeks. On April 15 at 11:30 a.m., Forest Ranger Jackson located the subject deceased on the Taconic Ridge, nearly a mile from where the subject's vehicle was located. The subject was turned over to NYSP.

Search for missing woman

Town of Brighton
Monroe County
Training: On April 15, five Forest Rangers completed helicopter hoist training. Working with New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation, Rangers refreshed their skills in hoisting into and out of the woods and packaging patients in a litter to be hoisted. NYSP Pilots fly Ranger crew chiefs who operate a winch to ensure hoists are done successfully.

Rangers Curcio and Shea during hoist training

Town of Colonie
Albany County
Training: On April 15 and 16, six Forest Rangers worked with the New York National Guard to conduct bucket training. National Guard Pilots flew Blackhawk helicopters while Rangers lowered the buckets to collect water and then dumped the water on targets. This simulates activities during wildland fires that require bucket drops. Blackhawk helicopters were used during the fire at Minnewaska State Park in August 2022. Each bucket holds 660 gallons of water. Video of the training is available for download.

Blackhawk bucket-drop training

Blackhawk bucket-drop training

Blackhawk bucket-drop training

Town of Keene
Essex County
Training: On April 15 Forest Rangers Duchene, Foutch, and Lewis conducted wildland fire training for the Keene and Keene Valley Fire Departments. Rangers covered wildland firefighting tactics and included a program on ATV/UTV operations in the woods.

Wildland fire training in Keene

City of Albany, Towns of Brookhaven, Groveland, Lysander, and Southampton, and Village of Stillwater
Albany, Livingston, Onondaga, Saratoga, and Suffolk Counties
Prescribed Fires:

• On April 16, Forest Rangers from Region 7 joined staff and volunteers from DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife to conduct a prescribed fire on 26 acres in the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area, Onondaga County. The same day, Forest Rangers from Region 1 joined staff and volunteers from DEC's Division of Lands and Forests, and staff from the Central Pine Barrens Commission and Brookhaven National Laboratory to conduct a prescribed fire on 12 acres in the David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest, Suffolk County. Also on April 16, eight Forest Rangers joined staff and volunteers from DEC's Divisions of Fish and Wildlife and Lands and Forests, and Fire Wardens to conduct a prescribed fire on 75 acres in Sonyea State Forest, Livingston County.
• On April 16 and 17, Forest Ranger Carabetta participated in a prescribed fire organized by the National Park Service on 66 acres of the Saratoga National Historical Park, Saratoga County.
• On April 17, Forest Ranger Laymon joined staff and volunteers from DEC's Division of Lands and Forests, and Albany Pine Bush staff to conduct a prescribed fire on 38.5 acres in the Albany Pine Bush, Albany County. On the same day, 11 Forest Rangers joined Central Pine Barrens Commission staff to conduct a prescribed fire on 32 acres in the Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest, Suffolk County.

Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species and reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.

Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area prescribed fire

David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens State Forest prescribed fire

Lt. Carpenter at Sonyea State Forest prescribed fire

Ranger Carabetta at Saratoga National Historical Park prescribed fire

Albany Pine Bush prescribed fire crew

Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest prescribed fire

Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest prescribed fire

Town of Spencerport
Monroe County
Public Outreach: On April 18, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kennedy and Ranger Raffaldi-Smith spoke to criminal justice students at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES about what it takes to become a Forest Ranger. Twenty-five students attended the presentation.

Ranger Raffaldi-Smith speaks to a criminal justice class

Town of Moira
Franklin County
Public Outreach: On April 20, Ranger Russell participated in the Brushton Youth Day event at the Brushton - Moira American Legion Post 939 and spoke to children and families about the duties and responsibilities of Forest Rangers. Ranger Russell showed off the Ranger all-terrain vehicles and other equipment used in search-and-rescue operations.

Brushton Youth Family Day event in the town of Moria

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.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.