Yosemite guests warned of lethal timber after Google engineer killed

Guests heading to Yosemite Nationwide Park are being warned a couple of terrifying park hazard involving “Summer time Department Drop” after a Google engineer was killed by a fallen tree limb.

Angela Lin, 29, was killed in a freak accident within the park when a department from an enormous sequoia tree fell and struck her on the pinnacle when she was climbing within the Tuolumne Grove with buddies in July 2025.

The park stated Monday that with the recent summer season days it’s now “Summer time Department Drop” season, the place a seemingly wholesome tree all of a sudden loses a limb with out warning.

Officers stated it occurs most regularly in black oaks round Yosemite through the summer season, on these significantly scorching, calm afternoons, with no wind.

“In contrast to most breaks resulting from wind, which happen the place a department attaches to the trunk, a break resulting from summer season department drop normally happens three to 12 toes away from the trunk, alongside the size of the department,” the message learn. 

“The branches that break are normally lengthy and horizontal, versus upright, regularly extending to or past the typical tree cover.”

“Whereas some limbs that drop present proof of wounds or decay, many of those failed limbs seem like fairly sound,” the message added.

A surprising picture included with the put up confirmed an oak tree with a large break up throughout an enormous department. 

Officers stated the cracks usually occur in older, much less vigorous timber, noting as soon as a tree loses a limb throughout this time, it’s prone to occur once more.

There are some things guests can do to stop a attainable tragedy or damage. These embrace not leaving infants or aged folks straight beneath massive oak timber. 

Keep away from pitching tents or organising for a picnic beneath a black oak’s branches on scorching summer season days. “If you happen to hear a loud crack from overhead, shortly run away from the tree itself,” officers stated.

“Steering away from already affected timber can be a good way to remain protected from this hazard and helps park operations act on and keep tree well being accordingly. “

In addition they are asking for the general public’s assist in notifying rangers should you see a tree or department fall.

It’s unclear how many individuals previously have been injured or killed by this park hazard or if SBD was the explanation the department fell from the large tree and struck and killed Lin.

The Put up reached out to the park for extra info.

---

Obtain The California Put up App, observe us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters