Which term describes a standing dead or partially dead tree that can present a hazard in wildfire environments?

• A. Deadfall
• B. Limb failure
• C. Snag
• D. Root rot

Answer: (C)

A standing dead or partially dead tree that can pose a hazard in wildfire environments is called a snag. Snags have weakened wood from decay and may still be rooted in the ground, so they can fail suddenly—dropping heavy limbs or the whole trunk—without warning. This makes them a major safety risk for crews and can also influence fire behavior by creating sudden fuel or wind disruption hazards.

Deadfall refers to a tree or large branch that has already fallen to the ground, so it isn’t standing. Limb failure describes a failure event of limbs, not the standing tree itself. Root rot is a disease in the roots that weakens trees; it increases the chance a tree will fall, but the term for the standing dead or partially dead tree is snag.