Stay Safe

A hazard tree is one that has a structural defect that makes it likely to fail in whole or in part. Falling trees and branches are an ever-present hazard when traveling or camping in a forest. 

• Be aware of your surroundings. Trees and limbs can fall without warning, especially if they're damaged or sick.
• Look up for trees with broken limbs or tops. Do not stand or camp under leaning trees.
• Numerous down or leaning trees may indicate structural defects. Avoid dense patches of dead trees. Absence of needles, bark or limbs may also indicate structural defects. The possibility of rot is indicated by conks, broken tops, basal scars, cat faces, numerous down limbs, ants or an abundance of woodpecker holes.
• Beware of hazardous trees due to ice storms or insect damage. Ice storms can inflict serious damage to trees—uprooting or breaking off large limbs. Cracks can develop in large branches which, although damaged, might not fall from the tree. Such branches can present a hazard to people or property long after the ice has melted.
• Strong winds may weaken unstable trees. Be particularly watchful when it is windy or following a snowstorm when branches are covered with snow. Stay out of the forest when there are strong winds that could blow down trees. If you are already in the forest when winds kick up, head to a clearing out of reach of any potential falling trees.
• Park close to a main road rather than on a spur or one-way section when driving in remote areas of the forest to avoid being trapped if a tree falls across the road.
• Camp in open spaces. Place tents and camp sites in areas where they will not be hit if a tree falls.
• Do not rely on cell phones for safety. Often there is no coverage in many areas of the national forest.
• Report hazardous trees. Contact authorities with location and information if you find a tree that presents a likely hazard, such as near a trail or camp site.

If you find yourself lost, please don't panic. The most important tool needed for survival when you are lost or injured outdoors is a positive mental attitude. You should continually tell yourself that you have to get home. When you panic or lose hope, the situation can become fatal.

• Stay calm if you get lost. Panic is your greatest enemy.
• Try to remember how you got to your present location.
• Pay close attention to your surroundings and land-marks, and relate this to your location on a map.
• Trust your map and compass, and do not walk aimlessly.
• If you are on a trail, don’t leave it.
• GPS users: Find your latitude and longitude and carry spare batteries.
• Most trails are marked with signs where intersections meet. However, signs are sometimes vandalized or stolen. Your best bet is simply to stay where you are, especially if it is nightfall, if you are injured, or if you are near exhaustion.
• While waiting for assistance, keep yourself hydrated and nourished, adapt to weather conditions by keeping yourself warm or cool.
• Call for help! Remember, before you leave, tell someone where you will be, and carry a fully charged cell phone. Cell phone coverage in remote areas may be limited, but you can use apps like Avenza Maps even without an internet connection. 

The best way to treat injuries is to avoid them. When hiking or walking on trails, it is important to take preventative measures.

• Stay on developed trails or dry, solid rock areas with good footing. Think about your footing while traveling near cliffs.
• Trees and bushes can’t be trusted to hold you.
• Share your plans. Tell someone where and when you are going, when you expect to return and how many individuals are in your party.
• Know your limits. Be in appropriate physical condition for your planned activity.
• Set a comfortable pace as you hike. A group trip should be designed for the least experienced or least capable member of the group.
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the trail conditions and season.
• Be weather wise. Keep an eye on current and predicted weather conditions.
• Learn basic first aid. Know how to identify and treat injuries and illnesses. Carry a first aid kit with you.
• Establish your camp before dark. Traveling after dark has resulted in many accidents from falls, so travel only during daylight. Set up camp well away from the edge of cliffs, and learn the terrain during daylight. If you have to leave camp after dark, stay in areas you have seen in daylight, go with a friend and always use a good flashlight.
• Watch your step. Be alert for slippery areas and take your time to avoid tripping. Low-hanging branches and variable terrain make running unsafe. Leaves can hide slippery areas underneath. Log crossings can be especially dangerous. Find alternate routes across streams.

The consequences of approaching wildlife can be serious. You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of wildlife. Wild animals should be allowed to forage for food, care for their young, sleep, and play without human disturbance. 

• Don't leave your food, including pet food, out in the open when not being used. It could attract unwanted insects and wildlife.
• Never approach or feed wild animals.
• Wild animals are individualistic and unpredictable.
• Always maintain a safe distance. Wildlife experts recommend keeping at least 100 yards away from bears and 25 yards from other large animals.

Although most people out of the Sawtooth National Forest are there to enjoy the outdoors just like you, some are not. Always be aware of your surroundings, and take precaution whenever you go. 

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings, including other people in the area.
• Lock valuables in the trunk of your vehicle or where they can­not be seen, Better yet, leave at home what you really don't need.
• Lock your vehicle. Do not hide your keys on or near your vehicle.
• Take note of the other vehicles in the area and write down license plate numbers and descriptions of vehicles that appear suspicious or out of place.
• Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or Forest Service personnel as soon as possible.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave right away and get help if necessary.
• Stand tall and walk confidently. Don’t show fear.
• Be observant of others and use discretion in acknowledging strangers.
• Avoid confrontations.
• Be respectful of your fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Always use good manners when interacting with others.
• Carry a cell phone and check if there is coverage in the area.
• Know how to contact law enforcement and how to get medical attention in an emergency.
• Carry a noisemaker, such as a whistle, or other protective device.
• Do not pick up hitchhikers.
• Never go anywhere alone — it is safer to be in pairs or in a group.

The best way to prevent forest fire damage is to keep forest fires from getting started.

• Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass and leaves. Pull any extra wood away from the fire.
• Keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control.
• Start with dry twigs and small sticks.
• Add larger sticks as the fire builds up.
• Put the largest pieces of wood on last, pointing them toward the center of the fire and gradually push them into the flames.
• Keep the campfire small. A good bed of coals or a small fire surrounded by rocks gives plenty of heat. Scrape away litter, duff and any burnable material within a 10-foot (3 meter) diameter circle. This will keep a small campfire from spreading.
• Be sure your match is out. Hold it until it is cold. Break it so you can feel the charred portion before discarding it. Make sure it is cold out. Conserve matches - carry a candle as a fire starter.
• Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread.
• Drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet. Move rocks - there may be more burning embers underneath.
• Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again. Be sure all burned material has been extinguished and cooled. If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix enough soil or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cooled.
• Feel all materials with your bare hand. Make sure that no roots are burning. Do not bury your coals - they can smolder and break out.

Sunny weather can make for very enjoyable days on your National Forests, but it only takes minutes to damage your skin. The sun is constantly bathing exposed skin and even your eyes with ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Even on cool and cloudy days, sun damage is possible if you don’t take precautions. 

• Avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its hottest.
• When it’s possible, wear long pants, shirts with long sleeves, and a broad-brimmed hat.
• Sunscreen should be applied to any exposed skin when you are outdoors. It needs to be reapplied every two hours and after sweating, swimming or toweling off. The higher the SPF, the stronger the protection.
• Your eyes aren’t immune to the effects of UV radiation. UV radiation can cause cataracts and other eye disease. Sunglasses should provide both UVA and UVB protection. Most sunglasses sold in the U.S. provide that protection.

• Don’t jump off of waterfalls or dive into any body of water. Unseen objects, such as logs and boulders, may be under the water’s surface.
• Never swim or wade upstream near a waterfall, even if the water appears shallow and calm. The currents close to the falls could pull swimmers over the edge.
• Changing seasons contribute to rapid changes in rivers and streams. In summer, rivers and streams often swell from runoff caused by snowmelt. That also could mean powerful currents that can easily sweep you off your feet. 
• Avoid rock hopping. Stream polished rocks along the water's edge may be slippery when wet or dry.
• If you choose to cross a stream by going through it, study the area first. Avoid deep and swift water.
• When crossing on a natural bridge of rocks or logs, consider where you will land if you fall. Never cross above rapids or falls.
• If you are crossing a stream, unbuckle your pack's waist strap so you can shed it if you fall to prevent being pulled under by its weight.