Tree Falling Injury 2011

A Type-1 crewmember was injured in a tree falling operation on a wildland fire suppression Incident under the command of a Type-Two Incident Management Team. Injuries included a double compound fracture of the ankle, and contusions to his body. The sawyer was hit and pinned to the ground by the bole of the tree, while retreating from the falling operation. The tree was a Subalpine Fir, 16”DBH, approx. 50’ tall, with multiple tops. After completing the undercut, the faller began his backcut. The faller inserted wedges, and continued with the backcut. Upon driving wedges to commit the tree to falling direction, he looked up and noticed “the top broke out”, prompting his egress, at approximately 90 degrees from the stump.

Hand Crews, Falling Operation, Tree Felling