Industrial Fire Precaution Levels

Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs) pertain to permitted activities such as timber sales, service contracts and firewood cutting. Please refer to your permit or firewood synopsis for more information.

Current Industrial Fire Precaution Levels

Forest or Grassland IFPL Level Date
Deschutes 1 5/1/2024
Ochoco / Crooked River National Grassland 1 5/1/2024
Prineville BLM 1 5/1/2024

What are Industrial Fire Precaution Levels?

There are four fire precaution levels that begin with Level I at the start of the “closed season” and can go as high as Level IV if conditions warrant. The fire precaution levels restrict certain operations as the fire danger increases. There are no precautions prior to the closed fire season. Each fire precaution level adds to the precaution measures applicable to all lower levels. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels are stages that apply to work activities, including personal use firewood cutting, on Forest Service or BLM lands in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire starting from the operation.

It is the responsibility of the individual operating on public land to know the precaution level for the day and to take the correct fire precautionary measures.

Waivers, written in advance, may be granted for any and all activities, including mechanized loading and hauling, road maintenance, cable yarding, use of power saws and equipment maintenance (other than metal cutting and welding).

If you have further questions about the IFPL regulations, please call one of our local Forest Service offices.

  Description
Level 
I

Closed Season – Fire precaution requirements are in effect.
A Fire Watch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.
Level 
II

Partial Hootowl – The following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time (no operation between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.):

  • Power saws except at loading sites
  • Cable yarding
  • Blasting
  • Welding or cutting metal
Level 
III

Partial Shutdown – the following are prohibited except as indicated:

  • Cable yarding – except gravity operated systems employing non-motorized carriages operating 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.
  • Power saws – except powers saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time.

In addition, the following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time (no operation between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.):

  • Tractor, skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders, or other equipment with a
  • blade capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start
  • Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material for blasting
  • Blasting
  • Welding or cutting of metal
  • Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned
Level 
IV		 GENERAL SHUTDOWN – ALL OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED

The Closed Season means that fire season requirements are in effect.

During the Closed Season, the following requirements must be met:

  • Fire tools must be on site
  • Fire extinguisher and shovel must be with each chainsaw
  • Fire extinguishers must be in all vehicles
  • Chainsaws must have a .023-inch mesh screen installed in the exhaust
  • Approved spark arresters must be on all internal combustion engines
  • Watchmen service must be provided for 1 hour after shutdown of power equipment for the day unless otherwise specified
  • No smoking is permitted while working or traveling through any operations area on public land except while in enclosed vehicles
  • Permits to burn are required unless waived in advance

When a Fire Watch is required, the Watchman must be:

  • Physically capable and experienced in operating any firefighting equipment on site
  • On duty for 1 hour after the shutdown of the last power-driven equipment for the day unless otherwise specified
  • Furnished with adequate facilities for transportation and communications in order to summon if needed
  • Patrolling and visually inspecting all sites where work was done during the day

Attack a fire start:

  • Oregon State Law requires that any operator on forest or range land take immediate action to control and extinguish a fire.
  • The contractor shall take this action and notify the BLM or Forest Service and the nearest State District Office immediately. Please call Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center (COIDC) at 541-316-7700.

ALL OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED:

  • No waivers will be issued
  • Landowners are permitted entry into their lands


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