OAR 629-043-0030: Fire Watch Service

(1) Pursuant to ORS 477.665, during fire season inside or within one-eighth of one mile of a forest protection district, operators must comply with the following fire watch requirements. A person performing fire watch service must: (a) Constantly observe the operation area during any breaks in operation activity and for a period of time designated by the forester, through a written order, not to exceed 2 hours after the power driven machinery used by the operator has been shut down for the day; (b) Visually observe all portions of the operation area on which operation activity occurred during the preceding period of activity; and (c) Be qualified in the use and operation of assigned firefighting equipment and tools; be physically capable of performing assigned fire suppression activities; and be advised of single employee assignment responsibilities (OAR 437-007-1315), when working alone. (2) After a measurable amount of rain on the operation area, the forester may suspend the requirements of subsection (1) of this rule until such time as, in the judgment of the forester, conditions warrant reinstatement. (3) The forester may reduce or waive any requirement of subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this rule in a written order if, in the judgment of the forester, conditions so warrant. (4) Immediately following a period when the only operation activity has been the use of self-loading log trucks on improved roads or landings cleared of flammable material, fire watch service is not required. (5) Pursuant to ORS 477.625(1)(a) operators must comply with the following fire watch service requirements: (a) Each person providing fire watch service on an operation area must have adequate facilities for transportation and communication to be able to summon firefighting assistance in a timely manner. (b) Upon discovery of a fire, fire watch personnel must: (A) First report the fire, summon any necessary firefighting assistance, describe intended fire suppression activities and agree on a checking system; then (B) After determining a safety zone and an escape route that will not be cut off if the fire increases or changes direction, immediately proceed to control and extinguish the fire, consistent with firefighting training and safety.