Something that those who don’t know much about wildland firefighting may be surprised to learn is that the most dangerous things in a wildfire zone isn’t necessarily the fire, but the trees.
The fire can burn out the roots, which are what are holding the tree upright. It can turn the soil that its roots are in to powdery ash. Sometimes all it takes is a gentle breeze to push over a tree that’s had its support burned out and is only being held up by the branches of its crown touching neighbors.
Needless to say, falling trees are incredibly hazardous.
Here are some examples of danger trees James documented during the Rossmore Lake Fire.
You may have to look closely to see what’s alarming about each picture.
