OAR 629-043-0020: Water Supply and Equipment for Fire Suppression

(1) When operating stationary equipment during fire season inside or within one-eighth of one mile of a forest protection district, pursuant to ORS 477.650, operators must provide the following water supply and equipment at each location where stationary equipment is operated: (a) Water supply: (A) A self-propelled motor vehicle which is equipped with a water tank containing not less than 300 gallons of water; or (B) A pond, stream, tank, or sump containing not less than 500 gallons of water. (b) Water delivery equipment: (A) Water pump: Size and capacity shall be such that the pump will discharge not less than 20 gallons per minute at a pressure of at least 115 pounds per square inch at pump level; (B) Hose and nozzle: A nozzle, and enough serviceable hose of not less than 3/4 inch inside diameter, to reach from the water supply to any location in the operation area affected by power driven machinery, or 500 feet, whichever is greater. (2) When mobile equipment is used in an operation area during fire season, inside or within one-eighth of one mile of a forest protection district, pursuant to ORS 477.625(1)(a), the operator must provide a water supply which complies with at least the minimum capacity, pump, hose and nozzle requirements set forth in section (1) of this rule. (3) “Operation area affected by power driven machinery” as used in this rule, means any part of the operation area where vegetation or flammable material might be ignited by exhaust, friction, or heated particles dropped or emitted from the power driven machinery or attached equipment, including, but not limited to any moving lines, drill or other attachments. (4) Within an operation area, except as required by ORS 477.615 or 477.660, only one water supply will be required to comply with sections (1), (2) or both of this rule, so long as access and communications are such that the combination of water supply, pump and hose can timely and effectively attack a fire start. Taking more than ten minutes to effectively attack a fire start may not be considered timely. (5) Notwithstanding the requirements under section (4) of this rule, the deployment of equipment capable of constructing fire line to effectively attack a fire start until a water supply, pump and hose arrives is deemed compliant with the intent of section (4). (6) All hose, motor vehicles, nozzles, pumps and tanks referred to in this rule shall be kept ready for immediate use. (7) The water supply, pump, not less than 250 feet of hose, and the nozzle, as required by this rule, shall be maintained as a connected, operating unit and kept ready for immediate use. (8) Nothing in this rule is intended to prohibit: (a) An owner of forestland from requiring operators to provide additional water or equipment when operating on the owner’s land or; (b) An operator from using its water supply and equipment for initial attack on a nearby fire outside the operation area. (9) When the operation only involves the use of self-loading log trucks on improved roads or landings cleared of flammable material, a water supply is not required. (10) The forester, in written order, may reduce or waive any requirement of this rule if, in the judgment of the forester, conditions so warrant or to take advantage of alternate methods or equipment proposed by the operator which provide, in the judgment of the forester, equal or better suppression of fire.