The Deadly Hiking And Camping Hazard On The Rise Due To Climate Change And Wildfires

As anyone who has followed the 2025 news of the devastating wildfires in California can guess, extreme wildfires are getting worse year by year. Wildfires now account for millions more hectares of tree loss annually, a huge continual increase. Extreme heat waves caused by climate change are the primary reason this is happening, as a warmer, dryer environment creates the perfect setting for a wildfire. Furthermore, when a forest burns, it releases carbon stored in the trees, contributing to a fire-climate feedback loop that only serves to fuel more fires.

Not only does this cause the destruction of towns and the displacement of thousands of people per year – more than 80,000 people were displaced after the Palisades and Eaton Fires in January 2025 alone — as well as killing thousands upon thousands of wild animals and vegetation, it also exacerbates the potential for future wildfires, leaving vast areas of terrain dead. Many of the dead trees killed in these fires remain standing, potentially acting as tinder for another fire. As if that weren't enough, these dead trees, called "snags," present another unexpected danger to hikers and campers: The risk of being hit by a falling tree. These snags are highly susceptible to falling because of root rot, and their weakness is becoming a growing danger to hikers, who cannot tell that these trees are at risk of falling at any moment.

In recent years, multiple people have been involved in accidents, some of them fatal, caused by snags and other trees. An Australian hiker named Harry Partington was killed in October 2024, when a tree fell on him while he was hiking the Four Mile Trail in Yosemite National Park. His hiking companion was also injured. In summer 2022, firefighter Logan Taylor was killed at the Rum Creek Fire site by a live tree that had been weakened by a previous fire.

Though being injured or killed by falling trees may seem like a freak occurrence, the potential for it to happen is much larger now that an estimated 129 million trees in California have died, primarily from drought, between 2010 and 2017 – with some 36 million trees dying in 2022 alone. Also contributing to this death toll are trees infected with bark beetles, who chew away at the trees, weakening them structurally. These and other invasive species and diseases are but a few afflictions that add to the likelihood of trees falling. For this reason, it is important to use extra caution while hiking or camping, and stay out of closed areas — they are closed for a reason. Do your research before heading to your hiking destination. It's good to know if the park you're heading to has been a victim of fire, as hiking trails can also be destroyed by wildfires, and can sometimes take years to rebuild.

How can you stay safe while hiking and camping? Firstly, make sure to look up and check for any signs of breakage – "hung snags," for instance, are trees that have already fallen but are being held up by others. Then there are the "widow-makers," a horrific name to describe the broken limbs and branches of trees that are left hanging precariously. You are more likely to be hit by a falling tree when stationary, rather than walking, so when camping, check the area carefully before setting up camp — even at popular, frequently-used campsites. A quick evaluation of the dead trees in the area might save your life. It's also important to remember to put your personal campfire out before leaving your camping spot, to avoid the risk of any unattended fire from spreading.

Breaking trees will also likely be audible when snapping, allowing you to calmly assess your surroundings and seek shelter if necessary. However, you probably won't be able to hear it if you have headphones on, so be wary of your surroundings at all times. Wind and rain in areas of dense forest also give reasons to be cautious, as strong winds can send branches flying and rain can make branches heavier, causing them to fall. Of course, not all trees are dangerous! But be careful and cautious when vacationing in wildfire areas, such as in states like California and Colorado, especially during the summer months, as the likelihood of wildfires has exponentially risen in recent years.