USWFA News

Hazard Tree Indicators * Numerous down trees. * Leaning trees. * Dead or broken tops and / or limbs hanging in the trees. * Absences of needles, bark, or limbs. * Possible of rot indicated by conks, broken tops, basal scars, cat faces, numerous down limbs, ants, abundance of woodpecker holes. * Stump holes burning in the area. * Smoke or fire burning in the base or tops of either dead or live trees may indicate rot and / or weakening of tree. Watch Out Situations 1. Snags are falling or have fallen in work area. 2. The area is occupied by trees that are susceptible to rot, especially white fir and old oak trees. 3. Working or taking a break in a hazard area. 4. Working in a hazard tree area for more than a few minutes. 5. Working in hazard tree area during windy or potentially windy situations. 6. Working in an area with trees that have been burning for an extended period. 7. Tailgate safety session did not include discussion of snags. 8. Lookouts are not posted or do not have communications in a hazard tree area. 9. Becoming complacent in a hazard tree area. 10. Too many snags for posted lookouts to keep track of. 11. Tree within fire will fall over control line. 12. Escape routes pall through hazard tree area. 13. Safety Zones exposed to hazard trees. 14. Parking in hazard tree area. 15. Crew fatigued from being on shift for an extended period. 16. Working around heavy equipment or tree felling operation in a hazard tree area. 17. Unable to see top of trees. 18. Steep slope with hazard trees above you. 19. Nighttime work in area not scouted in daylight. Safety Guidelines * Assess snag hazards before parking, taking breaks, or sleeping. * Make sure that employees wear personal protective gear at all times. * Use every day examples to brief and train employees about what snag hazards look like. * Consider suspending operations during windy periods. * Allow adequate time for scouting. * Identify; tree species common to work area especially those that are more susceptible to heart rot, root rot, or shallow roots. * Scout for hazard trees and visibly mark or flag individual and groups of snags that are in or near work areas. * Post lookouts in areas of known or potential snag hazards. * When possible, use work tactics which avoid or minimize employees exposure to snag hazards. * All crewmembers have the responsibility to speak out when confronted by snag hazards. * Discuss and plan escape route and safety zone considering vegetation and terrain. * Assess the height of treetops when planning safety zone and escape routes. * Fire Safety Zones must be free of hazard tree threat. * Use extra caution when down hill of hazard trees. It is more common for trees and debris to go down hill. * When escaping the path of a falling tree, do not turn your back- Watch the tree as you move out of its way to ensure you can see any change in its fall or roll caused by contact, breakage, etc. * Use extra precaution during night operations. * Determine if the benefit is worth the risk. SNAG SAFETY S ize up snag hazards in work area. N ever become complacent. A lways look up. G et weather reports. S cout out parking, sleeping, work areas, and safety zones. A dvise co-workers of known hazards. F ace your hazard and take appropriate action. E xamine work area for other hazards. T ake extra caution around heavy equipment. Y ou are ultimately responsible for your own safety. Mendocino National Forest Prescribed Burning To Begin Soon On The Upper Lake and Covelo Ranger Districts Upper Lake, September 18, 2008 - Prescribed burning projects will commence begining this fall and going through this spring on the Mendocino National Forest, as weather and fuel conditions moderate from the hot and dry conditions of summer. The majority of these burn projects are designed to improve forest health, enhance wildlife habitat and reduce hazardous fuels to help protect communities and forest resources from wildfires. Cooler weather and higher moisture have been moving into the Lake and Mendocino County area. According to Terry Nickerson, Fuels Specialist for Upper Lake and Covelo Ranger Districts, this type of weather will make way for "burn windows". Burn Windows have to meet site-specific conditions and criteria in order to initiate and complete a prescribed burn. Since prescribed burning is highly dependant on weather conditions, these conditions are monitored closely before, during, and after a prescribed burn. Fall, winter and spring weather often provide better conditions for prescribed burning. Over the next several months the public may see smoke in various parts of the forest. The prescribed burning program is usually completed by early-to-mid spring. Prescribed burning is planned for the following general areas: Along Elk Mountain Road, in the areas of Howard Mill, Deer Valley, Boardman Ridge, High Valley, Horse Mountain, Tar Flat, Newhouse Ridge, Pine Mountain, Lake Pillsbury, and in the vicinity of the 2005 Hunter Fire (Buckhorn and Skidmore Ridge). Selected campgrounds, guard stations and miscellaneous pile burning will also be included in the prescribed burning operations. Prescribed burning operations are an integral part of implementing the National Fire Plan and are used to help restore ecosystems, while managing the impacts of wildfires on communities and the environment. More information on prescribed burning is available online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino. Additionally, prescribed fire announcements will be placed at local Ranger Stations prior to implementation.