Wildland Firefighter struck and fatally injured by hazard tree—Oregon

Oregon Case Report: 22OR001
Release Date: May 28, 2023

The following report is the product of our Cooperative State partner and is presented here in its original unedited form from the state. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the individual Cooperative State partner and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

SUMMARY

A 25-year-old Caucasian male wildland firefighter was killed when a tree fell and struck him. This occurred while preparing to respond to a wildfire in Oregon. The tree appeared to be a live green tree, but had prior fire damage and was further weakened at the base by the current fire. No work was being done on or near the tree when it fell.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Key contributing factors identified in the investigation include:

• Unrecognized hazards related to previously burned green trees
• Fire crews operating within the fall radius of a hazard tree with low visibility
• Time to reach definitive medical care because of remote location
• Due to high turnover in the industry, many of the crew members were on their first fire response
• Communication and team cohesion barriers among crews

RECOMMENDATIONS

Oregon FACE investigators concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers and agencies should:

• Emphasize training on green tree hazards and situational awareness
• Prioritize risk management strategies, including the potential for hazard trees
• Increase emergency response plan, training, and equipment requirements for work in remote locations
• Invest in strategies to retain wildland firefighters and reduce turnover in this occupation, including a focus on training
• Emphasize effective communication and team building

Wildland Firefighter struck and fatally injured by hazard tree—Oregon [PDF – 2 MB]