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Falling Snags

 

Snags (dead, standing trees without leaves or needles in the crowns) and other hazard trees present a significant hazard to wildland firefighters. Snags typically have much lower fuel moistures than live, green trees; they are subject to rot and they burn more readily. In the process, they often throw firebrands far in advance of the main fire and often burn through more quickly than green trees, falling with little or no warning. Live, green trees that have been weakened by insects, disease, weather, past fires, and age present equal hazard and can fall without warning.

  • The risk of injuries from hazard trees increases during the night operational period when visibility is greatly reduced.
  • While the cooler, nighttime period is generally a more effective time to gain control of wildfires, the increased risk from unseen falling snags and weakened live trees may limit the widespread use of crews at night in areas of fire weakened or dead and dying timber.
  • Environmental conditions that increase risk from hazard trees: Strong winds or erratic winds from storm cells. Night operations. Machine operations. Air operations - cargo drops, water or retardant drops, helicopter take off/landing, low-level flights. Steep slopes. Diseased or bug-killed areas.
  • Things to consider when assessing the potential dangers of hazard trees: Trees have been burning for an extended period. High-risk tree species (those that are known for rot and shallow root systems) are in the area. Numerous downed trees. Dead or broken tips and limbs overhead. Accumulation of downed limbs. Tree decay, cavities, splits, and cracks. Absence of needles, bark, or limbs. Leaning or hung-up trees. Roots damaged by equipment or erosion.
  • Mitigation measures to take: Identify and flag all high-risk areas until the hazard has been removed. Keep personnel out of the high-risk areas until the hazard has been removed. Use qualified saw teams and felling bosses. Establish lookouts. Plan a quick and safe escape route. Do not turn your back on a falling tree. Maintain situational awareness.

Lessons Lost

Logging eTool - Felling Trees - Potential Hazards

 

Category
Felling Safety
References
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

Last Modified / Reviewed:


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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)