The following message is brought to you by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest:

 Please, be vigilant in your awareness while in post-fire areas. If you are in a post-fire area, whether camping, hunting, hiking, fishing or just enjoying the fresh air remember these areas still have a potential for tree hazards.

Even years after a fire tree hazards exist in the post-fire areas. Tree hazards include dead or dying trees, dead parts of live trees, or unstable live trees (due to structural defects or other factors) that are within striking distance of people or property. They have the potential to cause property damage, personal injury or fatality in the event of a failure.

The fire may have consumed a significant portion of a tree’s root system or lower trunk, although the tree is frequently left standing. These trees may fall at any time, even without wind. Fallen trees may get hung up on the branches of other trees and break away at a later time. Upper portions of the trunk and branches may have been partially consumed in the fire, yet still, retain a fragile connection to the tree. Again, these may break away from the main tree without warning. The wind will exacerbate the problem.

The Forest Service wants your visit to your National Forest to be both safe and enjoyable.

LOOK UP, LOOK DOWN, LOOK ALL AROUND.