Blaze Through 2026: Master Wildland TB 190 with Brush Tools and Handline Skills!

Tree cutting near line work is one of the most hazardous tasks, so it must be done by people who are trained and current in their certification. The main idea here is that felling trees safely around power lines requires specific techniques, risk assessment, planning for the fall direction, establishing a safe escape route, and using the right PPE and equipment. When someone is certified, they’ve learned how to reduce kickback, control the trees’ movement, and coordinate with ground crews to keep everyone clear of the danger zone. This knowledge isn’t gained from a quick briefing, so unqualified crew members shouldn’t perform the cut. While supervision and oversight are important, having a supervisor do the cutting every time is not necessary and can slow work; the task should be assigned to qualified personnel, with proper supervision as needed.