OAR 629-043-0025: Fire Tools and Fire Extinguishers

Pursuant to ORS 477.655, during fire season inside or within one-eighth of one mile of a forest protection district, operators must comply with the following minimum fire tool and fire extinguisher requirements: (1) During an operation in progress, provide at the operation area, or at a location approved by the forester, a tool box that contains a number of firefighting tools equal to or greater than the number of persons working on the operation. (a) The tool boxes must be clearly identified as containing fire tools; (b) The tools must only be used for fighting fire. (c) The tools must include a mix of scraping tools (such as pulaski or hazel hoe), cutting tools (such as pulaski or axe) and shovels; appropriate for building a fire line and throwing dirt. (d) The above requirements for a tool box and tools to be used exclusively for fire-fighting do not apply if there are four or fewer persons working on the operation and each person has a shovel, suitable for fire-fighting, available for immediate use while working on the operation. (2) Provide at each internal combustion engine, except power saws, one 2 A:10 BC or higher (5 pound) rated fire extinguisher, or a combination of fire extinguishers that provide equivalent protection approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. (3) Provide on each truck: (a) One 2 A:10 BC or higher (5 pound) rated fire extinguisher, or a combination of fire extinguishers that provide equivalent protection approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. (b) One round pointed shovel which has a face not less than 8 inches wide and a handle not less than 26 inches long; and (c) One pulaski or axe which has a handle not less than 26 inches long. (4) Provide at each block, except those blocks located at a landing: (a) One pump equipped can or bladder containing not less than five gallons of water; and (b) One round pointed shovel which has a face not less than 8 inches wide and a handle not less than 26 inches long. (5) All bladders, cans, pumps, tool boxes, tools and fire extinguishers referred to in this rule must be kept ready for immediate use. (6) Fire extinguishers required by this rule must be equipped with a reliable and easily read pressure gauge or device or method for measurement of the contents of the extinguisher. (7) When an additional internal combustion engine is permanently attached to a truck or other piece of power driven machinery, one fire extinguisher for the combined engines, which complies with section (2) of this rule, is sufficient. (8) The forester may, in written order, modify, 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, in the judgment of the forester, will provide equal or better suppression of fire. [ED. NOTE: Tables referenced are available from the agency.]