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RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Felling Hazard Trees: Does it Need to Come Down?

This video promotes dialogue among sawyers and fireline leaders about their ability to discuss and identify expectations and decisions to cut or leave a tree, understand the human factors that influence the decision-making process, and bring awareness to the option that every saw operator has a right to walk away from a tree.
Category: Hazards
Core Component(s):
Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned
Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes
Video Length: 13:50

Intent

Create a dialogue among sawyers and fireline leaders about their ability to discuss and identify expectations and decisions to cut or leave a tree. Understand the Human Factors that influence the decision-making process and bring awareness to the option that every saw operator has a right to walk away from a tree.​

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools.
  • Decide which questions will best fit the skill level of the session audience.
  • Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the location and agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Share the intent of the module with the class.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the selected discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

  1. Define a hazard tree. Is a dead, standing, ember-receptive tree a hazard tree? Do your perceptions of a hazard tree change from hotline construction to mopup? What about from direct line construction to indirect?
  2. What compels us to make the decision to cut the tree in front of us? (Examples include module/crew standard operating procedures [SOPs], personal skills, incident objectives, fireline supervisor, and fireline production rate pressures.)
  3. Which fireline positions make decisions about what trees need to come down? While on fire assignments, do your fireline supervisors (Operations Section Chief, Division Supervisor, Task Force Leader, Strike Team Leader, etc.) provide their tree removal expectations?
  4. Do you have adequate training for the cutting assignment? What influences your decision to walk away/turn down a cutting assignment?  Does your supervisor support you in making these decisions on your own?
  5. What are the key components that must be identified when determining the complexity of a saw operation? How do you determine what level of certification or skill set is needed to safely fell or buck a tree?
  6. If you start cutting a tree and the tree hangs up, what do you do?
  7. Do all hung trees need to be removed?  What influences your decision?
  8. What are the alternatives to cutting down a tree?
  9. Describe a close call you have had with saw work and how it has changed your perception of risk. Looking back, what could have been done to mitigate that close call?
  10. Does your module, team, or crew have SOPs for hazard trees, hung-up trees, alternatives to cutting high complexity trees, and tree turn-down protocols?
  11. Have you seen a change in how the fire service is dealing with tree stand health and hazard trees?
  12. During your fire career, have you heard this statement, “once you put your saw in a tree, it's all yours until it's on the ground.” If so, how do you feel about that statement today?

Feedback

  • Please utilize the PROVIDE FEEDBACK button located at the bottom of the page to provide feedback.
  • The Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee is going to create another Hazard Tree module. Please let us know how feel about this video, as well as other issues and topics you would like to see addressed in the future.

Resources

Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 977 MB) with .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to Right Click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.
  • Note: For Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; For IE, right click and select Save Target As.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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:
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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.

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2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources

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Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
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The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

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S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

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