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Hazard Tree – Situational Awareness

 

Snags are dead, standing trees without leaves or needles in the crowns and present a significant threat to forest worker safety. Snags may burn through more quickly than green trees and can fall without warning. 

Live, structurally compromised green trees weakened by insects, disease, weather, fire, and age can also fall without notice.

Sawyers and crews operate with increased risk from hazard trees during low visibility or night operations. Night saw operations should include discussions involving minimizing falling operations due to reduced visibility and the reduction of situational awareness of immediate surroundings.

Environmental conditions that increase risk from hazard trees:

  • Strong or gusty winds from storm cells.
  • Air operations - water or retardant drops, rotor wash from helicopters.
  • Steep slopes with rolling material.
  • Diseased or bug-killed areas (Mountain Pine Beetle).
  • Fire weakened timber.
  • Reduced visibility from smoke, fog, or darkness.

Things to consider when assessing the potential danger of hazard trees in an area:

  • Timbered areas that have been burning for an extended period.
  • High-risk tree species (those that are known for rot and shallow root systems) in the area.
  • Numerous downed trees or tree parts in the area.
  • Broken tops and dead limbs overhead or an accumulation of downed limbs around tree boles (stems).
  • Signs of tree decay including: cavities, splits, cracks, lack of needles, mechanical damage, missing bark, insect infestation, mushrooms, or fungus growing from tree.
  • Root damage from equipment, fire, or erosion.
  • Steep slopes for rolling debris, reduced personnel mobility, and more difficult size-up.
  • Weather forecast with high winds or wind impacting the tree canopy.

Identify mitigation measures to reduce risk from hazard trees:

  • Identify, communicate, establish, and monitor No-Work-Zones (NWZ) in all high-risk areas until the hazard has been mitigated.
  • Assign qualified sawyers and falling bosses based on the complexity of the hazard.
  • Consider ordering in higher complexity fallers in advance.
  • Use heavy equipment or explosives to avoid placing sawyers under hazards.
  • Plan quick and safe escape routes.
  • Minimize exposure time at the stump by employing efficient felling procedures.
  • Minimize impacts to the hazard tree from wedge pounding or other felling operations in the area.
  • Do not turn your back on a falling tree or known hazard.
  • Use lookouts to maintain secure felling areas.
  • Discuss/practice medical evacuation procedures and accept risk accordingly.

References:

Category
Felling Safety

6MFS Suggestion Form


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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee