New York State Forest Rangers and local emergency crews responded to ten incidents involving a wildland fire and backcountry wilderness rescues over the past week. The wildfire occurred in the Town of Webb, where crews used an inflatable boat to transport supplies and extinguish an unattended campfire that spread to 100 square feet. [Read more…] about Rangers Kept Busy With Wildfire & Adirondack, Catskills Rescues
Kaaterskill Falls
Backcountry Rescue Surge: Axe Injury, Cascade Fall, Lost Party of 9, Many Unprepared
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
Rangers Recover Body, Make Multiple Backcountry Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers recently participated in at least seven wilderness rescue missions across New York State, including on the Appalachian Trail and near Kaaterskill Falls; two hikers within an hour near Hurricane Mountain; and several in West Canada Lake Wilderness. [Read more…] about Rangers Recover Body, Make Multiple Backcountry Rescues
Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers spent a busy week rescuing numerous people from backcountry dangers, including: a 77-year-old rescued by helicopter in the Adirondack High Peaks; Lows Lake campers stranded by a violent storm; a teen medical emergency near Cranberry Lake; a capsized boat; an injured cliff jumper on the West Branch Ausable River which included a technical rope rescue; and dehydrated hikers and hikers with lower leg injuries in the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Be sure to eat before hiking and bring plenty of water and extra food that’s high in protein and calories. Read the Ten Hiking Essentials. [Read more…] about Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
Dog Rescued After Fall Over Falls; Ill and Injured Hikers Rescued
New York State Forest Rangers had another busy week with dangerous rescue operations in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and elsewhere. Including a dog that went over the edge at Fawn’s Leap Falls; an unconscious hiker at Kaaterskill Falls; several hikers with lower leg injuries; and more. [Read more…] about Dog Rescued After Fall Over Falls; Ill and Injured Hikers Rescued
DEC Considering Hiking Limits in Most Popular Adirondack, Catskill Areas
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the release of two reports regarding Visitor Use Management (VUM) for the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness and Kaaterskill Clove region of the Catskill Park.
DEC is soliciting feedback from the public to help inform additional actions the State may take to enhance safety and the visitor experience. These actions include recreation limits at the two Park’s most popular areas. [Read more…] about DEC Considering Hiking Limits in Most Popular Adirondack, Catskill Areas
Rangers Rescue Several Hikers, Fight Wildfire, Ticket Camper
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 Rescue Several Hikers, Fight Wildfire, Ticket Camper
Forest Rangers Recover Bodies; Make Rescues; Fight Wildfire
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 Forest Rangers Recover Bodies; Make Rescues; Fight Wildfire
Wildfires, Hiker Heat Exhaustion Keeps Rangers Busy
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 Wildfires, Hiker Heat Exhaustion Keeps Rangers Busy
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
Hiker Dies at Kaaterskill Falls; Several Injured Hikers Rescued Around NYS
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 Hiker Dies at Kaaterskill Falls; Several Injured Hikers Rescued Around NYS
Forest Rangers Rescue Unprepared, Injured Hikers & A Dog
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 Forest Rangers Rescue Unprepared, Injured Hikers & A Dog
Kaatersville Falls Injury Requires Rescue Mission
On Sunday, March 2 at about 2:10 pm, Greene County contacted Forest Ranger Dawson to help a subject with an arm injury at Kaaterskill Falls. The 25-year-old from Manhattan was with a friend hiking down to the middle pool area. [Read more…] about Kaatersville Falls Injury Requires Rescue Mission
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
Rangers Respond to Rescue Snowmobilers, Hiker Hit by Falling Ice
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 Respond to Rescue Snowmobilers, Hiker Hit by Falling Ice
Hikers Rescued at Mt Marcy, Buck Mtn, Kaaterskill Falls, Cobble Lookout
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 Hikers Rescued at Mt Marcy, Buck Mtn, Kaaterskill Falls, Cobble Lookout
Rangers Fight Wildfire, Rescue Hikers, Mountain Biker With Medical Emergencies
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 Wildfire, Rescue Hikers, Mountain Biker With Medical Emergencies
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
5 Separate Rescues at Cranberry Lake; More At Kaaterskill Falls, High Peaks, Black River
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 5 Separate Rescues at Cranberry Lake; More At Kaaterskill Falls, High Peaks, Black River
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