1. Okanogan Complex WA-NES-001203
Hazards on the Line Ash pits, hazard trees, and snags pose a significant risk to fire fighter safety!
Mitigation and Guidance
Base actions on risk informed decision making using experienced fire fighters. Ask questions to clarify hazards and be well informed.
When setting work priorities, ask yourself if you really need to be there – is it worth the risk?
Be aware that the risks with ash pits are often not visible and may extend well beyond the immediate area.
Scout areas and use probes to test for extent and depth of ash beds.
Identify and flag ash pits, snags, and hazard trees.
Maintain a high level of situational awareness at all times.
Refer to the Incident Response Pocket Guide for additional information.
Okanogan Complex WA-NES
Ash Pit Hazards
Tree fully consumed by fire. Risk of deep hot ash. Difficult to identify the hazard. Risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Stump and roots fully consumed by fire with settling of land surface. Risk of deep hot ash. Difficult to identify hazard, which likely extends beyond the immediate area along underground root lines. Risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Wood debris has burned away undermining road edge, causing risk of road shoulder collapse. Deep hot ash. Risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Hazard Trees / Snags
Entire stand severely burned, resulting in a combination of weakened trees, falling debris, and potential ash pits. Risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Trees have been considerably weakened by intense fire, butts of trees undermined, risk of trees falling, and potential ash pits. Risk of slips, trips, and falls.
High level of snags, significant risk of falling debris, and potential ash pits. Risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Use Risk Informed Decision Making. Understand the Value to be Protected. Ask – Is it Worth the Risk? Maintain Situational Awareness! Look Up, Down, All Around!

2. Hazards on the Line
Okanogan Complex WA-NES
Ash Pit Hazards
Wood debris has fully burnt away undermining road edge potentially hot ash exists beneath surface, associated with risk of road shoulder collapse.
Tree fully consumed by fire, deep and potentially hot ash layer exists beneath surface.
Stump and roots fully consumed by fire, deep and potentially hot ash exists beneath surface.
Hazard Trees / Snags
Tree has been considerably weakend by fire, butt of tree undermined, risk of tree falling.
High level of snags, significant risk of falling debris.
Maintain Situational Awareness! Look Up, Down, All Around!