Between August 3 and August 9, 2026, New York State Forest Rangers responded to a surge of backcountry rescues, many due to inadequate gear, poor navigation skills, and physical exhaustion. The following Forest Ranger reports show how unpreparedness and unpredictable events can turn a fun hike into an emergency. Use the links to navigate to stories about that geographical area. [Read more…] about Backcountry Rescue Surge: Axe Injury, Cascade Fall, Lost Party of 9, Many Unprepared
Denning
Mt Marcy Skier, Catskills Peak-Bagger Rescued After All-Night Efforts
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Mt Marcy Skier, Catskills Peak-Bagger Rescued After All-Night Efforts
Rangers Fight Wilderness Wildfire, Make Several Hiker Rescues
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Fight Wilderness Wildfire, Make Several Hiker Rescues
New Upgrades, Permits for Peekamoose Blue Hole
A newly constructed Peekamoose Blue Hole parking lot and first phase of a 3,270-foot accessible connector trail is hoped to improved the visitor experience and promotes sustainable use of natural resources in the three-mile Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor in the Catskills.
Peekamoose Blue Hole in the town of Denning in Ulster County is one of the most popular and oft-visited wild places in New York State. [Read more…] about New Upgrades, Permits for Peekamoose Blue Hole
Rangers Make Rescues at Kaaterskill Falls, Blue Hole, Buck Mtn, Indian Pass
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Make Rescues at Kaaterskill Falls, Blue Hole, Buck Mtn, Indian Pass
Rangers Make A Dozen Rescues, Respond to Whiteface Mt Twice, Battle Camp Fire
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers had a very busy Fourth of July holiday week and weekend, responding to at least a dozen search and rescue incidents around the state, including two separate incidents on Whiteface Mountain on the same day.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Make A Dozen Rescues, Respond to Whiteface Mt Twice, Battle Camp Fire
Backcountry Rescues at Blue Hole, Hunter Mountain, Dry Brook Ridge
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Backcountry Rescues at Blue Hole, Hunter Mountain, Dry Brook Ridge
Rangers Rescue Injured Hiker in Big Indian Wilderness
On Tuesday, March 18 at about 10:15 am, Ray Brook Dispatch requested NYS Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker with an ankle injury on the Biscuit Brook Trail in the Catskills. The trail provides access to the 33,500-acre Big Indian Wilderness Area in the town of Denning, Ulster County. [Read more…] about Rangers Rescue Injured Hiker in Big Indian Wilderness
Another Adirondack Rail Trail Snowmobile Accident
New York State Forest Rangers responded to another Adirondack Rail Trail snowmobile accident this past week, and three wilderness rescues. During one of the rescues a State Police helicopter hoisted a hiker off Phelps Mountain having a medical emergency; two other missions involved unprepared hikers in the Catskills. [Read more…] about Another Adirondack Rail Trail Snowmobile Accident
Wildfires, Hunter & Hiker Rescues: Recent Forest Ranger Missions
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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 and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Wildfires, Hunter & Hiker Rescues: Recent Forest Ranger Missions
Wildfires, A Drought Warning, and High Fire Danger
Recent dry and windy conditions have resulted in numerous wildfires across New York State. There are currently six active fires that have burned more than 6,000 acres. New York State has issued a Drought Warning and Very High fire danger in some regions.
Rangers remain on the scene of a 5,304-acre fire in the town of Warwick, Orange County. The Jennings Creek Fire, which straddles the New York and New Jersey border, is now 90 percent contained. [Read more…] about Wildfires, A Drought Warning, and High Fire Danger
Forest Rangers Make Wilderness Rescues in Catskills, Adirondacks
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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 and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Make Wilderness Rescues in Catskills, Adirondacks
Rangers Fight Fire, Make A Dozen Rescues in Adirondacks, Catskills
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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 and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Fight Fire, Make A Dozen Rescues in Adirondacks, Catskills
Bearing Witness: Exploring the Legacy of Enslavement in Ulster County, New York
In New York State, Ulster County in particular had high rates of enslavement of people of African descent owing to its vast, bountiful farmland and its early settlement by wealthy Dutch, English, and French families.
The stories of those enslaved in Ulster County have long been underserved by historians, and the lives and identities of many are now lost forever, but new research continues to uncover important genealogical and societal information on who the enslaved and their enslavers were, what their lives were like, and the fate of newly emancipated Blacks and their families. [Read more…] about Bearing Witness: Exploring the Legacy of Enslavement in Ulster County, New York
2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge Underway
For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State, including the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve, from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, to search for dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires. The 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge highlights the park’s remaining public fire towers. [Read more…] about 2024 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge Underway
Forest Rangers Recover Body; Find Hiker Lost Overnight; Rescue Injured Hikers
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Body; Find Hiker Lost Overnight; Rescue Injured Hikers
New Trail, Parking, Campsite Closures Planned For Sundown Wild Forest
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finalized the Sundown Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP) Amendment. It’s hoped the amendment will improve infrastructure, increase public safety, enhance natural resource protection, and improve visitor experiences in the Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor in the Catskills town of Denning, Ulster County. [Read more…] about New Trail, Parking, Campsite Closures Planned For Sundown Wild Forest
Forest Rangers Make Rescues at Phelps Mtn, Marcy, Peekamoose Blue Hole, Kaaterskill Falls
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Make Rescues at Phelps Mtn, Marcy, Peekamoose Blue Hole, Kaaterskill Falls
Forest Rangers Battle More Wildfires In Eight Counties
In addition to battling at least nine wildland fires in nine different counties from last Friday, November 4th through Monday, November 7th, New York State Forest Rangers responded to an additional eight fires from Tuesday, November 8th through Sunday, November 13th. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Battle More Wildfires In Eight Counties