State Officials Urge Caution as Animal Activity Increases Across New York Roads As the leaves change color and daylight fades earlier each evening, state officials are reminding drivers that fall isn’t just scenic—it’s also one of the most dangerous times of year for wildlife collisions. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)  and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)  are urging motorists to stay alert behind the wheel this season as deer and moos

Town of Keene, Essex County —  On October 17, thirteen New York State Forest Rangers successfully passed their reaccreditation with the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) for technical rope rescue certification. The MRA, founded in 1959, is the oldest search and rescue association in the United States and sets national standards for technical rescue operations. The reaccreditation process ensures Rangers maintain advanced proficiency in high- and low-angle rope rescue techniqu

October 10, 2025 – Town of Bolton, Warren County On the afternoon of October 10, New York State Forest Rangers conducted a challenging wilderness rescue in the Town of Bolton after a hiker was unable to continue her descent from Thomas Mountain due to a preexisting knee condition. At approximately 4:11 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker reporting that her 73-year-old mother, from Bath, New York, was unable to continue the hike. Forest Ranger Geyer initially

On Thursday, September 26, at approximately 2:00 p.m., six New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers responded to a report of an injured hiker along Devil’s Path in the Indian Head Wilderness Area.

A 74-year-old hiker from Queensbury was rescued from the rugged backcountry of the High Peaks Wilderness on Friday, September 13, after suffering a knee injury near the Slant Rock lean-to in John’s Brook Valley.

 A late-night search in Sullivan County ended safely after a 21-year-old hiker from Brooklyn was rescued on Boy Scout property in the Town of Bethel. On August 17, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the White Lake Fire Department requested assistance from New York State Forest Rangers after the hiker called 911 to report being lost. The caller also warned that their cell phone battery was nearly drained.

WINDHAM, N.Y. – A 68-year-old hiker from Oneonta was rescued late at night after suffering an ankle injury while on the Black Dome Mountain trail in Greene County. On August 14, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Greene County 911 requested assistance from New York State Forest Rangers after reports came in of a hiker with an unstable ankle injury about two miles up the trail.

A 50-year-old hiker from Peru, New York, was rescued after suffering serious injuries from a fall at Split Rock Falls on Saturday afternoon. At approximately 3:00 p.m., Essex County 911 requested the assistance of New York State Forest Rangers after the hiker fell into the first pool of the popular natural site. The individual sustained head and back injuries as a result of the fall.

A 14-year-old camper from Camp Chingachgook was rescued after losing consciousness during a hike near the Elk Pass area of Nippletop Mountain, prompting a rapid response from New York State Forest Rangers and State Police.

 A dramatic wildfire believed to be caused by a lightning strike broke out in the Town of Chesterfield on July 12, prompting a major emergency response across Essex County.

Three individuals are facing environmental violations after being caught illegally harvesting clams and other marine life from closed waters in Suffolk County. On June 24, 2025, Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) Day and Franz responded to a complaint about suspicious nighttime activity in Centerport Harbor, located in the town of Huntington. Witnesses reported seeing people with headlamps digging in the area, which is closed to shellfishing.

Although the bird showed no visible injuries, ECO Franz transported the raptor to a local wildlife rehabilitator as a precaution. The falcon, initially lethargic, responded well to care and made a swift recovery. After a brief stay, it was successfully released back into its natural habitat.

MIDDLETOWN, NY  — A hiker was airlifted to Albany Medical Center following a lengthy rescue operation in the Dry Brook Ridge Wild Forest...

Prescribed Burns Conducted Across New York to Improve Habitat and Prevent Wildfires

LEWISBORO, NY – What looked like a quiet rural property in Westchester County turned out to be the center of a massive illegal dumping...

In early March, Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) from Putnam and Westchester counties conducted a rigorous enforcement detail....

On Feb. 22, ECOs Franz and Radomski responded to reports of an injured bald eagle on a trail near Croton Gorge Park in the town of...

A snowmobiler suffered serious injuries following a high-speed crash on Indian Lake in Hamilton County on March 4.

On March 9 at approximately 8:15 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to a fire that had spread beyond its intended area on private land in the...

Manhattan hiker’s trip to the iconic Kaaterskill Falls took a painful turn when he slipped on ice and suffered an arm injury