ORS 477.665 (1) states that during a fire season inside or within one-eighth mile of a fire protection district, every operator using power-driven machinery in an operation area shall provide fire watch service on the operation area. The fire watch service shall consist of not less than one competent person, who shall be on duty at times prescribed by rules promulgated by the State Forester. These rules shall require fire watch service at such times and at such places as the spread of fire on or from the operation area to forestland reasonably may be expected.

(2) The forester may modify or waive, in writing, any requirements of this section as to any operation whenever the fire hazard is not sufficient to justify the requirements.

OAR 629-043-0030 (1) states that pursuant to ORS 477.655 operators shall comply with the following watchman requirements. Watchman shall:

1. Be constantly on duty for three hours after the power driven machinery used by the operator has been shut down for the day.

OAR 629-043-0030 (3) states that the forester may, in written order, reduce or waive any requirements of subsection (1) of this rule, if in the judgment of the forester, conditions so warrant.

Western Lane District will implement the following Fire Watch Service Waiver written policy for the 2006 fire season.  These requirements are those issued by the Western Lane District and would still require landowner written approval for each specific operation.  Without such written landowner approval the required fire watch service shall remain at three hours.

The following operations are excluded from this policy due to the fire risk and require a three hour fire watchman service: None at this time.

Fire Watch Service Waiver Guidelines:

Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 – One-hour fire watch shall be in effect for all operations. This waiver would not require an on site inspection.

Industrial Fire Precaution Level 2 – A one hour fire watch shall be in effect for road rocking activities (rock hauling and spreading). A two-hour fire watch shall be in effect for all other operations. This waiver would not require an on site inspection.

Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 – A three hour fire watch would be in effect for all operations. Any request for a waiver would require an on site inspection.

Industrial Fire Precaution Level 4 – NA

Any waiver issued by Western Lane District may be revoked at any time.

All waiver requests will come from the landowner prior to any on-site visit.