Hazard trees can be very dangerous in burned areas.
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Run if you hear cracks or snapping from tree roots, trunks, or branches.
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Stay safe from falling trees and branches.
Beware: Branches and trees may fall whether or not they are dead, and when there is no wind.
Stay aware of overhead surroundings. Keep eyes and ears open. Run if you hear cracks or snapping from tree roots, trunks, or branches. Sometimes there is no sound.
Don’t linger or camp under dead, cracked, broken, or hanging branches, or under trees that are rotten at the base or have cracked bark peeling off the trunk.
Report close calls to a ranger.
Do not enter closed areas.
Check at trailheads for information about potential hazards or closures. There are identified risks in these areas, including burned bridges, hazard trees, and sections of trail that are unstable due to erosion. Many of these hazards may be hard to spot.
Drive carefully.
Rocks, debris, and downed trees may be present on roads at any time. Be alert and drive slowly, especially during rainy or windy weather. Follow tire chain requirements when they are in place. Watch out for animals.
In the aftermath of the Congress Fire, park staff had to close certain areas for public safety
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Stay on trails. Turn back if dangers are present.
Though it may be tempting to wander, off-trail areas have hazards such as rolling rocks, holes, and unstable soils. Conditions in burned areas can change quickly. Turn around if you have difficulty following the trail, or encounter a problem that makes it unsafe to continue. Burned stumpholes or bridges may be common on some trails. Report dangerous conditions to park staff.
Be especially careful if it's rainy or windy.
Whether you plan an auto tour, a walk around the sequoias, a wilderness trip, or camping, storms and wind make many burned area hazards even more dangerous. Consider waiting until the weather is better before you travel.
If you encounter dangerous conditions, turn back.
Conditions in burned areas can change quickly. Turn around if you see a problem and you're not sure if it's safe to continue.
Be safe around rivers and submerged vegetation.
Fires may cause trees and shrubs near rivers to die and fall in the water. When recreating near the river, do not swim near submerged trees or vegetation. They can trap you underwater.
