A hiker died near the summit of Mount Marcy last week as DEC Forest Rangers carried out multiple rescues and a prescribed burn across New York.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released its weekly summary of Ranger activity, highlighting search and rescue missions in the Adirondacks and outreach efforts statewide.
On February 12 at 3:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a 911 call from a hiker with a dog who reported slipping off the trail near the summit of Mount Marcy in the Town of Keene and being unable to get back. Six Forest Rangers responded by snowmobile and tracked utility task vehicle. New York State Police Aviation also responded for a possible hoist rescue.
Heavy cloud cover prevented Rangers in the helicopter from seeing the hiker. At 6:06 p.m., officials inserted a Ranger at the Marcy Dam Outpost to search on the ground. At 9:51 p.m., a Ranger located the 21-year-old hiker from New Jersey deceased. Rangers found the dog alive and hiked it out to safety. Early the next morning, State Police Aviation inserted two Rangers to recover the hiker. DEC extended condolences to the family.
That same night, Rangers responded to another call in Essex County. At 8:17 p.m., dispatchers contacted Ranger Ordway about a hiker who became lost while hiking Phelps and Tabletop mountains in the Town of North Elba. The hiker’s spouse reported last contact at 4:30 p.m., when the hiker attempted to bushwhack back to the trail.
Rangers located the hiker’s vehicle at Adirondak Loj and later received updated coordinates from the 65-year-old from Arkport. At 10:30 p.m., Rangers located the hiker and transported them back to their vehicle. Officials said the hiker lost the trail near the summit of Phelps Mountain and their phone battery died during a 911 call. Rangers reminded hikers to carry a map and compass and prepare for limited cell service and cold weather.
Additional rescues followed over the weekend.
On February 14, Rangers responded to a call about a 51-year-old hiker off trail on Haystack Mountain and getting cold. Rangers determined the hiker was near the summit of Basin Mountain and guided them back to the trail. Two Rangers later met the hiker and escorted them safely to the trailhead.
On February 15, three teenage skiers went out of bounds at Whiteface Mountain into the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness and became stranded in deep snow on top of a cliff. Rangers and Whiteface Ski Patrol responded. State Police Aviation located the group and dropped sleeping bags for warmth. Rangers reached the teens at 6:07 p.m., provided snowshoes and headlamps, and assisted them back to the resort.
Later that evening, Rangers responded to a report of a 68-year-old hiker experiencing cardiac issues between Lookout and Marble mountains on Whiteface. Rangers reached the hiker at 6:53 p.m. and assisted them to the trailhead, where Wilmington EMS took over care.
Beyond rescues, Rangers also conducted a prescribed burn on February 13 at Napeague State Park in the Town of East Hampton. Rangers worked with State Parks and DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests to burn 0.3 acres to reduce fuels left by invasive southern pine beetle damage. DEC said prescribed fire helps improve wildlife habitat and reduce wildfire risk when conditions allow.
Earlier in the month, Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police Officers visited John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction for a “lunch and learn” program to discuss careers and demonstrate search and rescue and fire gear.
In 2025, Forest Rangers conducted 362 search and rescue missions, extinguished 202 wildfires covering 840 acres, and participated in 68 prescribed fires that treated 1,649 acres. Rangers also worked on cases that resulted in more than 1,100 tickets and arrests and deployed to fire assignments in 10 states.
“Our Forest Rangers are elite law enforcement leaders who put their lives on the line when they respond to a search and rescue, wildland fire, or State land violation,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “We’re fortunate to have them patrolling State lands and keeping people safe. Their expertise and professionalism are valuable assets, not only in New York, but around the country wherever emergencies arise.”
DEC urged outdoor enthusiasts to plan ahead and review safety information before heading into the backcountry.
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