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
wildfires
Rangers Respond to Plane Crash, High Peaks Wildfire & Backcountry Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers had another busy week across the state responding to a plane crash near the Adirondack Rail Trail, several wilderness rescues, and wildfires in the Adirondack High Peaks and in Stony Creek. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond to Plane Crash, High Peaks Wildfire & Backcountry Rescues
New York Air Unhealthy Amid Extreme Heat, Canadian Wildfires
Air quality is “unhealthy” in much of New York as massive plumes of smoke from wildfires in Canada drift across the region causing a visible haze, reduced visibility, and a smell of smoke.
All New Yorkers should limit time spent outside and keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke from entering your home. [Read more…] about New York Air Unhealthy Amid Extreme Heat, Canadian Wildfires
Rangers Fight Wildfires, Respond to Ill, Injured, Lost Hikers, Paddler
New York State Forest Rangers have seen a dramatic increase in missions with the advent of the summer hiking season. They recently responded to more than a half-dozen distressed recreationists in the Adirondacks, several of whom were poorly prepared, along with others in scattered other parts of the state. They also fought two wild land fires, one at a logging header. [Read more…] about Rangers Fight Wildfires, Respond to Ill, Injured, Lost Hikers, Paddler
Climber Falls 30 Feet; 66-Acre Wildfire; Injured, Unprepared Hikers in Dix Range
New York State Forest Rangers recently responded to a 53-year-old Mohonk Preserve rock climber who fell 30 feet; a 66-acre wildfire started by debris burning in Franklin County; three hikers in distress in the Dix Range of the Adirondack High Peaks over just two days; and more. [Read more…] about Climber Falls 30 Feet; 66-Acre Wildfire; Injured, Unprepared Hikers in Dix Range
Rangers Respond: Missing Child, Brush Fires, Overnight High Peaks Rescue, Ill, Injured and Lost Hikers
Hot dry weather and lack of rain remains a wildfire concern around state. Since May 4th, New York State Forest Rangers fought two brush fires. In Saratoga County a wildfire began with ashes dumped outside, and a two-acre fire of unknown origin in Warrensburg damaged a structure.
Rangers also provided overnight assistance of two lost hikers in the remote Cold Brook Pass in the Adirondack High Peaks, and aided in locating another near Indian Pass Brook. On May 8th they participated in the search for a missing eight-year-old in Allegany County. Those reports and more are below, provided by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Respond: Missing Child, Brush Fires, Overnight High Peaks Rescue, Ill, Injured and Lost Hikers
Forest Rangers Fight Wildfires, Recover Body, Respond to Allergic Hiker
New York State Forest Rangers recently fought three wildfires started by illegal debris and garbage burning, and one unattended fire, on April 28th and April 29th, which burned about 4 acres.
They also recovered the body of a man from a creek in Tioga County, and responded to a hiker having an allergic reaction in the Catskills. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Fight Wildfires, Recover Body, Respond to Allergic Hiker
NYS Forest Rangers Fight Numerous Wildfires Across the State
New York State Forest Rangers spent several days fighting at least six wildfires throughout upstate from April 23rd to April 26th which burned nearly 30 acres.
The annual New York State statewide burn ban prohibiting residential brush burning is in effect through May 14, 2026. Open burning of brush, leaves, and debris is banned, with violators facing minimum fines of $500. [Read more…] about NYS Forest Rangers Fight Numerous Wildfires Across the State
Rangers Battle Wildfires; Rescue Numerous Hikers; High Tor Fall Victim; Recover Teen at Kaaterskill Creek
Wildfires remain a concern across New York State. Checking the weather before hiking. The temperature and conditions at the top of a mountain are often very different from those at the trailhead.
It’s Mud Season, wildland stewards advise that recreationists should stick to drier lower elevation areas to avoid damaging trails and fragile higher elevation ecosystems.
The following are recent missions carried out by New York State Forest Rangers: [Read more…] about Rangers Battle Wildfires; Rescue Numerous Hikers; High Tor Fall Victim; Recover Teen at Kaaterskill Creek
Rangers Fight Wildfires Sparked by Train, Burning; Make Catskills Hiker Rescue
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to wildfires, and 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 Wildfires Sparked by Train, Burning; Make Catskills Hiker Rescue
Attorneys General Sue Trump Regime Over USDA Funding Conditions
New York Attorney General Letitia James and 20 other attorneys general today filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block sweeping new funding conditions imposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that they say jeopardize billions of dollars in funding for critical state programs.
The lawsuit challenges USDA’s new “2026 Conditions,” which force states to comply with vague and arguably unlawful policy requirements or risk losing essential funding for programs that feed families, support farmers, and protect communities. Attorney General James and the coalition are asking the court to block these conditions and protect states’ access to funding already approved by Congress. [Read more…] about Attorneys General Sue Trump Regime Over USDA Funding Conditions
Statewide Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Has Begun
The annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC enforces the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders during heightened conditions for wildfires.
Even though some areas of the state are damp or remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise. [Read more…] about Statewide Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Has Begun
Rangers Kept Busy With Hunter, Hiker and Angler Missions
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 Kept Busy With Hunter, Hiker and Angler Missions
Last Remaining Fire Tower in Rensselaer County Gets Restored
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has completed restoration work and installed new interpretive signage at the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower in Grafton Lakes State Park. The fire tower is the last remaining in Rensselaer County.
There are currently 34 fire towers remaining in New York State, with 20 located on state land. At one time, there were 124 fire towers across the state, 57 of which were in the Adirondacks. Many of these have been restored and are open for public use. [Read more…] about Last Remaining Fire Tower in Rensselaer County Gets Restored
Croghan Wildfire Burns More Than 20 Acres
On October 5th four Forest Rangers, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, Lewis County Emergency Management and the Castorland, Croghan, and New Breman Fire Departments responded to a wildland fire burning leaf litter and measuring almost 23 acres in the town of Croghan in Lewis County.
Fire departments knocked down most of the active flames around the perimeter, but as of 8 pm, the fire was only 20 percent contained. Two Rangers continued patrolling the fire overnight. [Read more…] about Croghan Wildfire Burns More Than 20 Acres
Large Wildfire Burning at Piseco Lake
Ongoing dry conditions, fallen leaves and illegal burning led to an outbreak of multiple wildfires across New York State from Orange to Essex to Onondaga Counties this past week.
One fire of nearly 40 acres is still burning near Piseco Lake in the Adirondacks. [Read more…] about Large Wildfire Burning at Piseco Lake
Rangers Fight Fire at Follensby Clear Pond, Make Several Wilderness 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 Fire at Follensby Clear Pond, Make Several Wilderness Rescues
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
Rangers Fight Wildfires, Rescue Hikers, Cliff Jumper
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 Wildfires, Rescue Hikers, Cliff Jumper
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