Stay Safe

Wildfires can damage a tree’s roots, trunk, and canopy. Winds can bring down fire-damaged trees and branches, causing injury and/or death. Stay out of burned forests during windy conditions, as trees are easily downed by wind.

Photo: trees weakened by a fire.

Use extreme caution around trees, power poles, and other tall objects or structures that may have lost stability during the fire. Most burned structures and surfaces will be unstable. Do not touch any power lines.

Photo: Powerlines along a road.

Ash pits are an inherent and hidden risk that can cause severe burns and injuries. They are created when a ground fire consumes underground fuels creating an empty space that isn't visible rom the surface. 

Burned stumps may create rather obvious large holes, but these holes can be bigger. Sometimes, a fire travels through tree roots and consumes parts of the roots resulting in but leaves unstable root systems that can collapse under a person's or vehicles' weight. Be especially wary after a rain event which can cause them to collapse easier!

Photo: A burned out area next to a fireline.

Smoke within a fire area can be very dangerous. Burning building materials can emit toxic gases, releasing contaminants into the air. High temperatures during a fire can compromise hazardous material containers, leaking their contents onto the ground.

Photo: Smoke warning during a fire.

The public plays a valuable role in wildfire prevention. On average, 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans each year, especially near roads, communities, and recreation areas. Help prevent future wildfires! Remember, you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being when recreating in fire-impacted areas.

Photo: An illegal campfire.