Recent DEC 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.
Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County
Wilderness Search: On April 8 at 10:15 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a subject concerned about a 57-year-old friend who was one day overdue from a hike on Seward Mountain. Six Forest Rangers started searching at 2:30 a.m., and 12 more Rangers later joined the search. One crew located the subject’s snowshoe tracks after brushing below four inches of fresh snow. The Rangers followed those tracks for 100 yards and continued in that direction. At 12:36 p.m., the Rangers located the subject at the Ouluska Pass lean-to off the Northville-Placid trail. The hiker was tired, but otherwise in good health. Rangers escorted the hiker back to the trailhead where he was met by a family member. Resources were clear at 4:52 p.m.
Town of Burke
Franklin County
Law Enforcement: On April 13, Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger response to a wildland fire. Burke Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished a fire started by a subject illegally burning debris and leaves in their yard. A Forest Ranger issued a ticket for a violation of the statewide annual ban on residential brush burning.
Village of Saranac Lake
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On April 13 at 9:25 p.m., Forest Ranger responded to a call for a shoeless subject last seen walking into the woods. Rangers searched with Saranac Lake Fire Department and Saranac Lake Police. At 10:30 p.m., Rangers Adams, Corey, and Jansen located the 26-year-old in good health and walked them back to their residence. Saranac Lake EMS took over care of the subject.
Honoring Dispatchers: April 13 to 19 is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, which honors the vital work of public safety telecommunicators, who are often the first point of contact for emergency calls.
Dispatcher Hanf
Dispatcher Nerp
Posted: April 17th, 2025 under General News.