 Good day, my name is Ranger Dave and I'm with the U.S. Forest Service and I'm here with my good friend Dave Derby from Cal Fire. We're here to bring an important message about falling limbs and hazard trees. We hope at the end of this video that you and your family have a great awareness about hazard trees and remember to look up the next time you're outside in your community and around trees. There is a reason why I and other foresters used to wear this hat, but now wear this one when we're working in the woods and around trees. It's because of the extreme danger that falling limbs and hazard trees present. Dangerous such as these increase with trees that have been weakened or killed due to the impacts of things like drought or fire. For decades logging, working in the woods and wildland firefighting have been the top five most dangerous occupations in our country and there's a reason for that. However now with the unprecedented drought and wildfires in California and other places across the country has become even more important for you and your family to be aware of as you go outside in your community and other places you might visit. During the campfire there were thousands of trees killed while many have fallen or been removed thousands remained and will most likely fall sometime over the next five years. That means there is still a huge danger. Hazard trees and limbs are an increasing danger as more and more people choose to live among trees. Visit the forest or travel in their areas that have recently burned. However dead and dying trees are not limited to areas that have burned, so the information presented in this video will most likely affect you or someone you know at some point. Again hopefully after having Dave raise your awareness about hazard trees and limbs you will remember to look up when you are outside and educate others about being safe around trees. What is a hazard tree? Hazard trees have been damaged by fire, wind, insects or other external forces. It could be damaged to the trunk, the bark or the limbs. It depends on where it is located relative to the other improvements on your property or possibly public infrastructure. Why should I worry about hazard trees? Hazard trees are number one safety concern for people in the woods. Wildfire can damage thousands of trees and they can be hazardous within 300 feet of the tree for as long as five years after a fire. Winter hazard tree is most dangerous. They are most dangerous when wind, fire or other external forces can cause them to break or fall. How can you identify a hazard tree? Subtle clues like bark getting loose on the tree or damage to the to the bowl, signs of decay such as a conch or a mushroom on the side, insect activity or mistletoe. It's always a good idea to get the help from a professional florist or a certified arborist because there can be subtle clues that will help them determine whether a tree is hazardous. What can I do about a hazard tree? Never attempt to fall or buck a tree without proper training. There are many ways that the tree can fall and go wrong and only a few ways that it can go right. It's a very risky competition. Again the purpose of this video was not to make you an expert on trees. Hopefully the information that Dave gave you raised your awareness about hazard trees and extreme danger that falling limbs can present. Next time you're outside with you, your family, you're in your community or around trees we just want you to remember to look up. If you need more information about hazard trees or where you might find them or things you need to look out for please go to your local Cal Fire Station or your local Ranger District.