Sunday, February 1, 2009 I was assigned to a division on initial attack of a vegetation fire. On arrival we had a slow moving fire in leaf duft and fire in the tree canopy. I instructed my crews to place a hose lay around the perimeter of the fire to meet up with division A and specifically instructed them to stay out of the black to avoid snags. At this time, I noticed a freelancing firefighter from the other division wandering into the black to perform mop up on several burning stumps. At this time a large burning tree limb fell striking the firefighter in the head and knocking him to the ground. He sustained minor contusions to his head, most of the trauma was avoided by use of his helmet but he also sustained some 2nd degree burns to his face and neck from the ember shower.

Lessons Learned: When fire reaches the tree canopy you cannot wander into burned areas much like a collapse zone on a building. Trees that have been burn are greatly weakened and will fall on you with sometimes fatal results. 8 firefighters have been killed by snags in the last 10 years. Avoid the black, work indirect fire attack and stay out of areas that need snag hazard mitigation. Timber fires are not grass and brush fires.