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INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION LEVELS (IFPLs)

IFPL 1: FIRE SEASON 

Fire season requirements are in effect. In addition to other fire prevention measures, a Firewatch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.

IFPL 2: LIMITED SHUTDOWN

The following may operate only between the hours of 8 P.M. and 1 P.M.: •Power saws except at loading sites; •Feller-bunchers with rotary head saws; •Cable yarding; •Blasting; •Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal.

IFPL 3: RESTRICTED SHUTDOWN

The following is prohibited except as indicated: •Cable yarding - except that gravity operated logging systems employing non-motorized carriages or approved motorized carriages (defined below), may operate between 8 P.M. and 1 P.M. when all blocks and moving lines are suspended 10 feet above the ground except the line between the carriage and the chokers and during rigging. The following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 P.M. and 1 P.M. where mechanized equipment capable of con- structing fire line is immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start: •Ground-based operations (defined below); •Power saws on ground-based operations; •Rotary head saw feller-bunchers with a continuous Firewatch; •Non-rotary head saw feller-bunchers; •Tethered logging systems (defined below). The following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 P.M. and 1 P.M.: •Power saws at loading sites; •Loading or hauling of any product or material; •Blasting; •Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal; •Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned.

IFPL 4: COMPLETE SHUTDOWN

All operations are prohibited. NOTE: Where hauling involves transit through more than one shutdown/regulated use area, the precaution level at the woods loading site shall govern the level of haul restriction, unless otherwise prohibited by other than the IFPL system. Under IFPL III, all trucks must be loaded and leaving the loading site no later than 1 P.M.

FIRE WATCH:
Pursuant to
ORS 477.665 and
OAR 629-43-003 (1)(a)

Effective 01/01/2023, a fire watch waiver (during closed fire season) is issued for all lands under the jurisdictional protection of the Douglas Forest Protective Association within the Douglas District. The District Fire Warden has determined that a fire watch shall be on duty for the following periods: DURING IFPL 1: 1 HOUR DURING IFPL 2: 2 HOURS DURING IFPL 3: 3 HOURS A person performing fire watch service must constantly observe the operation area during any breaks in operation activity and after the power driven machinery had been shut down for the day. These fire watch periods are the minimum required by the Douglas District, pursuant to state law. Individual landowners have the authority to require longer fire watch periods than those set by the District.

Questions about industrial waivers? Contact us directly for more information. 

IFPL Definitions

 

Approved motorized carriage:

a cable yarding system employing a motorized carriage with two fire extinguishers, each with at least a 2A:10BC rating, mounted securely on opposite sides of the carriage, an emergency motor cutoff, and an approved exhaust system.

 

Cable yarding system: a yarding system employing cables, and winches in a fixed position.

 

Fire Season: that season of the year when a fire hazard exists as declared by the responsible agency official.

 

Ground-based operations: mobile and stationary equipment operations other than cable yarding systems, including but not limited to tractor/skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, processor, and shovel operations. Loading sites: a place where any product or material (including, but not limited to logs, firewood, slash, soil, rock, poles, etc.) is placed in or upon a truck or other vehicle. loading site shall govern the level of haul restriction, unless otherwise prohibited by other than the industrial precaution level system.

 

Tethered logging system: winch-assisted, cable-assisted, traction-assisted, etc., which enable ground-based timber harvesting machines to operate on steep slopes.

 

Waivers

 

Waivers, written in advance, may be used for any and all activities. Activities for which waivers may be issued include, but are not limited to:

  • mechanized loading and hauling.

  • road maintenance such as sprinkling, graveling, grading and paving.

  •  cable yarding using gravity systems or suspended lines and blocks, or other yarding systems where extra prevention measures will significantly reduce the risk of fire.

  • power saws at loading sites or in felling and bucking where extra prevention measures will significantly reduce the risk of fire.

  •  maintenance of equipment (other than metal cutting and welding) or improvements such as structures, fences and powerlines.

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Best Management Practices for Forest Operations Checklist

  •  Assure good communications are established with protection district.

  • Keep all equipment clean of flammable material and debris.

  • Utilize and keep in good working condition manufacturer recommended non-sparking clamping jaws on braking systems on carriages.

  • Clean out spark arrester ports.

  • Hydraulic and fuel lines are in good condition.

  • Battery hold-downs are in good repair and positive terminal is insulated;

  •  Electrical wiring and circuit breakers are in good working order according to manufacturer specifications;

  • Pumps and fire trucks are in good working condition;

  • Line rub is eliminated;

  • Where possible, and when not in use, park equipment overnight in location clear of flammable material.

  • Monitor relative humidity hourly and consider shut down when relative humidity drops below 30 percent.

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NOTE: The IFPL system does not apply on lands protected by ODF east of the summit of the Cascades

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