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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

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Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources