Recent Statewide Forest Ranger Actions

A helicopter involved in the Buttermilk Falls rescue

The Buttermilk Falls rescue

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 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.

“From wildfires, to floods, to search and rescue operations, whenever emergencies strike, DEC’s Forest Rangers are always the first to jump into action,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “I commend our Rangers for their heroic work to keep New Yorkers and our visitors safe in some of the most adverse conditions in the world, and for leading the state’s response to emergency situations. Their efforts to inspire the next generation of safe and responsible outdoor enthusiasts are instrumental in DEC’s efforts to support the outdoor recreation economy, and I encourage all New Yorkers interested in joining our ranks to visit DEC’s website to learn how to become the next New York State Forest Ranger and be part of their historic legacy of protecting New York’s forests."

Town of Hunter

Greene County

Wilderness Rescue: On Jan. 24 at 11:41 a.m., Greene County requested Forest Ranger assistance to rescue an injured ice climber at Buttermilk Falls. After the fall, the climber lowered himself down four more pitches when he encountered a group of ice climbers who called for help. The climbers provided care for his unstable ankle and wrist injuries until Rangers reached the 35-year-old from New Paltz at 1:15 p.m. Due to the remote and technical terrain, Rangers called New York State Police (NYSP) Pilots Leeder and Plitsch for a hoist rescue. Rangers packaged the subject in a harness so Ranger Cowart could hoist them into the helicopter. At 4:30 p.m., the NYSP helicopter arrived at the landing zone where the subject was transferred to Hunter Ambulance. Haines Falls Volunteer Fire Department and Greene County Paramedics also assisted.

The climber was climbing solo without ropes and did not have a cell phone. DEC encourages climbing in a group so a member of the group can get help in the event of an accident.