## Wildfire Prevention Industrial Operations

Industrial operations of various kinds in the forests, rangelands and
watersheds have been an integral and important part of the economy of
this country since colonial times. During the past 25 years, large-scale
housing development has accelerated and moved into wildlands and
leveling of land for agriculture and construction of canals and
pipelines for water distribution has moved from the valleys into the
foothills and mountains necessitating the use of heavy earth-moving and
construction equipment. Activities that have taken place during the past
years include construction, drilling and operating geothermal steam
wells and power plants, construction of nuclear power plants, and oil,
gas and mineral exploration operations.

Historically, these activities have not resulted in an unusual number of
wildfires compared to other causes. However, several large fires have
been caused by operation of machinery. This has led to aggressive fire
prevention programs by fire protection agencies and industry in order to
reduce fire losses and save money. Many aspects of machine use my start
vegetation fires. These include exhaust sparks, hot exhaust manifolds
and pipes, fuel leaks, overheating, track and blade sparks, short
circuits, brakes, belts and pulleys, accumulated debris, and broken
hydraulic line spilling on hot engine parts.

This is where communication relating to engineering is crucially
important. Wildland fire prevention engineering is the process of
reducing risks and hazards by shielding or removing heat sources, or by
removing fuels. Prevention engineering includes activities such as
moving fuel away from roadways, removing vegetation from around a
structure, creating firebreaks around campgrounds, and using spark
arrestors on internal combustion engines and fireplaces. Burning of
natural debris and vegetation for land management purposes is becoming
more common. The specific purposes may include fire hazard reduction,
seed bed or planting site preparation, land clearing prior to
construction, mining or drilling, etc. In any event, past wildland
suppression policies have led to an unnaturally heavy vegetative fuel
loading in many cases, thus making some burning operations quite
hazardous. Unless conducted under properly prescribed and controlled
conditions, such burning can escape and become a wildfire. If well done,
it cannot only produce the desired land management purpose, but also
reduce the likelihood and severity of future wildfires.

The information in this section is designed to give an overview of some
of the many types of equipment that need to be monitored in order to
prevent wildfires. Because the equipment and ways to safeguard them are
constantly changing, it is important to ensure that your patrol team is
up to date on the most recent information.

**Enforcement**

Fire prevention enforcement is an important aspect when considering
industrial operations, but it should be practiced at the minimum level
necessary to gain compliance with fire laws and regulations. The
inadvertent or intentional ignition of wildland fuels by humans is a
crime, and many times it is caused by a piece of equipment that has not
been properly monitored. All wildland fire will be investigated at the
earliest possible time. The investigation may range from a documented
determination of cause by the initial attack fire crew to criminal
investigation by a qualified arson investigator. The primary job in
investigation will be to obtain all the information and evidence
possible to identify the responsible party. The initial actions by the
fire crew on the fire will affect the investigation\'s chance for
success. Every initial attack fire fighter needs to receive minimal
training in finding and protecting the point of origin. They must also
understand how to protect the point of origin and any possible evidence.
Much of this is covered in the Wildfire Cause Determination Handbook of
the NWCG. All violators will be held liable for civil costs and for
appropriate criminal action when laws or regulations have been violated.

**Public Use Restrictions**

The land management officer has the authority to impose public use and
access restrictions in times of high fire danger. These public use
restrictions could include:

-   Restricted fire use, i.e., no fires outside developed sites, no
    fires in back-country, etc.

-   Restriction of public use activities, i.e., off-road vehicles,
    back-country access, etc.

-   Restriction of refuge operations or contract activities, i.e.,
    construction, blasting, chain saw use, etc.

**Communication Objectives**

The basic objective of industrial operations fire prevention is to
prevent uncontrolled fires, prevent loss of life and minimize loss of
property and natural/cultural resources and the disruption of commercial
operations as a result of wildfires. The most effective means of
attaining this objective is a cooperative approach. The ways in which
cooperation can be implemented can include, but certainly are not
limited to, coordinated communications, joint training sessions, joint
inspections, notification of critical fire weather, sharing of research
and other information and supplemental fire detection. Fire protection
agencies can no longer afford to maintain the personnel and equipment
required to prevent all seriously damaging fires. It is, therefore,
necessary for industry to assume some of the burden created by their
activities. In addition, industry may be liable for damages resulting
from fires caused by their operations. Joint reviews provide excellent
on-the-job training and promote mutual understanding and trust. It is
easier to discuss and explain a situation or condition while looking at
it.

Wildland fire agencies, in cooperation with the National Weather
Service, have a system for keeping informed of fire weather conditions,
including critical situations. While this information is available on
request to anyone needing it, it is computed for fairly large areas.
Many operators want weather information more specific and localized to
their own operating areas. They sometimes establish and operate their
own weather stations. Agencies and operators benefit from other's
information. Also, managers of other types of industrial operations can
make arrangements to obtain useful weather information from these
sources, including the internet.

**Fire Tools and Equipment**

All firefighting equipment under the operator's control should be listed
in the fire plan. The specially designed equipment (e.g., fire trucks,
water trailers with pumps and hose) are rather obvious. Adapted
equipment may not be so obvious to everyone. Bulldozers and chain saws
can be used on almost any wildland fire. Road-watering tank trucks are
not prevalent and the terrain is not steep, motor graders are excellent
firefighting machines. These are but a few examples. In preparing this
section of the fire plan, an operator should seek the advice of fire
protection agency personnel.

In addition to firefighting equipment, the fire plan should list support
equipment. This category would include, but not be restricted to:
fueling and lubricating vehicles, transport vehicles (e.g., low beds,
buses, flat beds), communications links (e.g., radio-equipped vehicles,
portable radios, radio-telephones), portable electric generators, etc.

All equipment listed should be designated as "with operator" or "without
operator." The location and means of contacting, as well as other
pertinent and useful information should also be listed. Tools reserved
for firefighting purposes only, at certain locations may be required.
These should be considered only as legal minimums. Many logging and
construction contracts require more. Some operators may provide
additional tools. Special requirements are contained in various rules
and regulations.

Below is a composite listing of locations and tools recommended at those
locations. Local laws and rules should be checked.

  -------------------------------- --------------------------------------
  **Location**                     **Recommended Tools**

  Motor, torch, grinder, etc.      Shovel, backpump

  Log landing, construction field  Fire toolbox with enough tools to
  office or service area, mine     equip each employee, plus chain saw
  headquarters, etc.               and tractor headlights

  Motor vehicle, tractor, skidder, Shovel, axe, approved fire
  scraper                          extinguisher

  Portable power tool (including   Shovel, approved fire extinguisher
  chain saw or tamper, etc.)       

  Helicopter refueling area        \(2\) 10 lb. fire extinguisher fire
                                   suppression system

  Yarder, loader, crane, service   \(2\) 10 lb. fire extinguisher fire
  truck, etc.                      suppression system

  Choker setter                    Shovel

  Mechanized harvesting equipment  \(2\) 10 lb. fire extinguishers or
  (chippers, bunchers, etc.)       self extinguishing fire suppression
  powered by internal combustion   systems
  engines                          
  -------------------------------- --------------------------------------

The fire plan should set forth the number and types of firefighting
tools provided, their locations, and the person designated as
responsible for ensuring their presence and operating condition.
Personnel should be trained in their use.

**Staff and equipment**

Fire prevention or suppression can only be effective when organized.
Someone must be in charge and responsible in order to provide direction
in this effort, and this individual should focus on the proper ways to
communicate the precautions that need to be taken when operating certain
equipment. This can be the owner, logging boss, construction
superintendent, a person specifically hired as a fire supervisor, or
anyone else who is readily available at all times and is assigned the
necessary authority to commit the resources of the operator when and
where needed. This person should not only be named in the fire plan, but
his/her identity and authority should also be made known to all
employees, contractors and subcontractors. For operations with more than
a few employees and pieces of equipment, an alternate and/or assistants
should be designated. All of these people should not only have the
requisite authority, but also fire protection training and experience in
excess of general run of employees so they may effectively lead fire
prevention and suppression activities.

In addition to naming the person in charge, alternate and assistants,
the fire plan should set forth positive means of contact, both at work
and off duty. Day and night telephone numbers are minimum requirements.
Radio frequencies received and transmitted on are helpful. If direct
contact by the protection agency dispatcher is not possible or
practical, the means of routing messages to the company fire boss should
be outlined.