Which of the following would NOT be classified as a ground fuel?

Ground fuels refer to combustible materials that are in contact with the ground and can support a surface fire. Common examples of ground fuels include leaves, duff, and dead wood, as they consist of organic materials that can easily ignite and burn.

Leaves and duff, which is the layer of decomposing organic matter on the forest floor, are typical ground fuels as they are often found on the ground in forested areas. Dead wood, which includes fallen branches and logs, also fits this classification because it can accumulate on the ground and provide significant fuel for fires.

In contrast, snags are standing dead trees that have lost most of their leaves and may not necessarily contribute to ground-level fires. While they can eventually fall and become ground fuels when they decay, snags themselves are not in direct contact with the ground as they are still standing upright. This distinction in positioning and the physical state of snags compared to other materials makes them an exception to the classification of ground fuels.