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2024 Year End Infographic: Hit by Tree Incidents

The 2024 Year End Infographic is out, distilling common themes and lessons from over 200 incidents the Lessons Learned Center received in 2024.

As the final installment on the 2024 Infographic, we will cover Hit by Tree incidents.


Image depicting a large blue "24" with bullet points showing 10 Tree Felling and 14 Not Tree Felling. To the right is a Forest Service hardhat with a blue circle showing the impact zone of the tree strike and a red circle showing the resulting crack

Hit by Tree incidents were the highest single-type incident in 2024. With 10 felling incidents and 14 non-felling incidents, regardless of the impetus for the incident—21 involved serious injuries. Considering the risk posed by tree strikes, think about the following questions as you read through the incidents below.

  • Based on the type of work you typically perform, when are YOU at most risk of being hit by a tree?
  • Is your crew prepared to handle these injury types?

Felling Incidents:

Dogwood Trail Project Work Tree Strike 2024

Colorado Fire Camp Training Hit by Tree 2024

Inyo Felling Incident Hit by Tree 2024

Chainsaw Evaluation Vehicle Tree Strike 2024

Cribby Creek Fire Hit by Tree 2024

Willamette NF Hit by Tree 2024

Limepoint Fire Hit by Tree 2024

Diamond Complex Hit by Tree 2024

Hurricane Helene Response Hit by Tree Limb 2024

Sterling Forest State Park Hit by Tree Fatality 2024

Non-felling Incidents:

Tri-County Prescribed Fire Limb Strike 2024

Little Twist Fire Tree Strike 2024

Monument Ridge RX Hit by Tree 2024

Lake Fire Hit by Tree 2024

Frazier Fire Hit by Tree 2024

Chicopee Memorial State Park Hit by Tree 2024

Coffee Can Saddle Fire Hit by Tree 2024

Schenk Prescribed Fire Hit by Tree 2024

Coffee Pot Fire Concussion 2024

Daly Fire Vehicle Tree Strike 2024

Tiger Creek Fire Hit by Tree 2024

Hurricane Helene Response South Carolina Hit by Tree Limb 2024

Mansfield Fire Department Hit by Tree Branch 2024

As showcased above, tree strikes can occur during all hazard response, while driving, while felling, bucking or just hiking. Keep your SA up and consider overhead hazards regardless of your location.