Skip to main content

6MFS

6MFS Committee

All 6MFS Topics

6MFS Calendar

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health - First Aid

Leadership

Misc Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

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.

 

Category
Felling Safety
References
Hazard Tree Resources

Page Last Modified / Reviewed:

Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee.


Follow NWCG on Twitter and Facebook

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Website Migration

Date: April 01, 2024
Contact: NWCG Webmaster

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group is thrilled to announce a significant upgrade to https://www.nwcg.gov, involving a comprehensive redesign of over 7,000 web pages. This enhancement is focused on improving user experience. The migration to the new NWCG website will commence on April 2, 2024, starting at noon EST and is expected to take a few hours. 

During the migration period, as the www.nwcg.gov domain-name-location updates across the Internet, you might encounter either the current or the new site depending on your location. We request your patience during this transition. If you are not redirected to the new site by April 3, 2024, we recommend clearing your browser’s cache and refreshing the page.

Please note that while navigating the revamped website, there may be instances of broken links or errors. Our dedicated web migration team has made significant efforts to minimize such issues prior to launch and will promptly address any that arise via use of analytic reports. We value your patience and understanding as we work towards enhancing your overall website experience.

WFSTAR 2023 Year in Review and 2024 Core Component Module Packages Available

Date: March 6, 2024
Contact: Joe Schindel 

The 2023 Fire Year in Review module and 2024 Core Component Module Packages for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) are now available on the NWCG website. The 2024 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

 

References:

WFSTAR 2023 Fire Year in Review module

WFSTAR 2024 Core Component Module Packages

2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter

Date: March 6, 2024
Contact: NWCG

The NWCG Executive Board is privileged to share with you the 2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter. As we look into the future and navigate an incredibly complex and dynamic environment, we must remain focused on our mission while actively engaging in national conversations regarding numerous wildland fire initiatives. In 2024, we prioritize building upon our successes and committing to continuous improvement. Key priorities and considerations for this year include: 

  • Determining Core Workload
  • Ensuring Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Success
  • Improving Efficiencies
  • Firefighter Health and Wellness
  • Engagement in National Conversations

Together we will continue to make significant strides in the challenging and vital work that lies ahead. 

 

References:

2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter

NWCG Welcomes NASA

Date: February 22, 2024
Contact: NWCG

NWCG welcomes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as an associate member.

“As wildfires become larger and more frequent, NASA is working to apply our scientific and technological knowledge toward this national challenge, and integral to our approach is forging collaborative partnerships,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. 

 

References:

NASA News Release

NWCG