Cascade Parcell and her instructor Brad Williams study the ponderosa pine. They’re looking for “lean” – the direction the tree wants to fall.
“I’m going to use wedges on this one,” Parcell says, picking up a chainsaw.
She fires up the chainsaw, kneels at the base and starts cutting while Williams carefully watches.
Parcell was one of a handful of students taking the Wildland Fire Chainsaws course in April at Coconino Community College. The course is part of a CCC Wildland Fire Suppression Certificate program.