(WNY News Now) As the state struggles with severe fire conditions, New York’s DEC Forest Rangers continue to play a crucial role in maintaining the safety of public lands by fighting devastating wildfires and performing life-saving rescues.Forest Rangers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) react to search and rescue missions around the state. Forest Rangers find and rescue persons who are missing, hurt, or in distress throughout New York State by collaborating with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups. In 2023, DEC Forest Rangers engaged in 52 prescribed fires that helped revitalize over 1,000 acres of land, completed 370 search and rescue missions, put out 146 wildfires that occupied almost 1,400 acres, and handled cases that led to hundreds of tickets and arrests. Forest Rangers are prepared to assist when needed, whether they are managing difficult search and rescue missions, putting out wildfires, upholding the law on State lands and easements, motivating the upcoming generation of environmental stewards, or promoting responsible leisure.Sean Maharsaid, DEC Interim Commissioner.The extensive knowledge of Forest Rangers and their cooperation with federal, state, and local partners are crucial to safeguarding New York’s public lands and the numerous tourists that utilize them.The towns of Lake Luzerne, Rochester, Monroe, Denning, Warwick, and RiverheadWarren, Ulster, Suffolk, and Orange CountiesWildland Fires:Numerous wildfires have spread around New York State as a result of recent dry and windy conditions. Currently, almost 6,000 acres have been torched by six ongoing fires. Forest Rangers responded to a 21.5-acre fire near Riverhead on November 9. At the moment, the fire is under patrol. Forest Rangers responded to a 43-acre fire in Monroe on November 17. The fire has been put out. Forest Rangers reacted to a debris-fueled fire that spread to 645 acres in the hamlet of Denning on November 18. Patrol status has been assigned to the fire. Additionally, Rangers extinguished a small fire near Lake Luzerne and completely confined a 27-acre fire in Rochester, Ulster County. In the town of Warwick, a 5,304-acre fire is still being fought by rangers. Ninety percent of the Jennings Creek fire, which crosses the border between New York and New Jersey, has been contained. Along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, dozens of volunteer fire departments from throughout the state, 18 Montana wildland firefighters, and six state agencies (DEC, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, New York State Police, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and New York Army National Guard), Rangers are spearheading the effort. In some areas, conditions still lead to a High and Very High risk of fire. A high fire danger indicates that all fine, dead fuels burn rapidly and that most causes, such as campfires and neglected brush, can start fires. Attacking fires while they are still small is essential because they can grow larger and become more difficult to control. The DEC website has an updated fire danger map. The statewide burn ban imposed by Governor Hochul will remain in force until November 30, 2024.Visit DEC’s FIREWISE New York website to learn more about fire safety and prevention.Warwick’s Jennings Creek fireWarwick’s Jennings Creek fireBefore heading into the wilderness, make sure you have everything planned and ready. For additional information, visit the Adirondack Backcountry Information, Catskill Backcountry Information, and DEC’sHike Smart NY webpages. Call 833-NYS-RANGERS if someone needs a Forest Ranger for any reason, including a search and rescue, reporting a wildfire, or reporting unlawful conduct on state lands and easements. A person can dial 911 if they require immediate assistance. The DEC website provides phone numbers for each Forest Ranger by region so that you can get in touch with them for information about a particular area.Press releases: https://dec.ny.gov/news