[Table of Contents]
13. FIRE MANAGEMENT
ALASKA
Fire prevention regulations are in Article 6 of the Regulations. Fire management is not covered.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Fire Preparedness Plans must be completed prior to commencement of industrial operations, and must outline proposed fire detection and suppression techniques. Using fire to manage the forest resources for pest control, reforestation, reduction of natural fire hazards, and habitat enhancement, must be carried out in a manner which is safe, and consistent with higher level plans and ecological and environmental values. It is a requirement to assess impact on soil sensitivity if prescribed fire is being considered. The methodology to assess soil sensitivity to fire and to complete the Burn Plan is outlined in Guidebooks. Within 30 days of completion of timber harvesting activities, a fire hazard assessment must be conducted to determine the risk of fire on the area where timber was harvested. Any fire hazards resulting from a forest practice must be reduced to an acceptable level within 12 months of assessment, or within 12 months of when the fire hazard was created. Fuel management planning is required under development plans and Silviculture Plans. Fuel management strategies are outlined in guidebooks. Operators must ensure that all employees, tools and equipment are available for initial suppression in the event of a fire. Any changes to a watercourse for fire suppression operations must be rehabilitated and stream channels, stream beds, sump and dam locations must be stabilized.
CALIFORNIA
There are various fire prevention and suppression provisions covered in the Chapters 4, 5 & 6, Article 8 of the Rules. There is specific provision for a fire suppression resource inventory. The inventory must include at a minimum:
- name, address and 24-hour telephone number of an individual and an alternate with authority to respond to CDF's requests for action on fires
- the number of individuals available for fire fighting and their skills
- equipment available for fire fighting.
FINLAND
All fire protection duties are the responsibility of the Rescue Department of the Ministry of the Interior. They are regulated by the Fire and Rescue Act. Each of Finland's 11 provincial districts has a Fire Authority that is responsible for lands outside municipal boundaries. Within municipalities, communal fire protection officials also regulated by the Fire and Rescue Act, are responsible for fire prevention. The municipalities collect forest fire information, develop preventative measures, and conduct fire extinguishing operations (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 1993).
The completion of a Fire Preparedness Plan prior to a prescribed burn is not required by Finnish law. However, they are usually prepared and approved by the local forestry board. The plans generally include a map of the forest operation area and a list of water withdrawal locations. The chief of the local fire department and the local alarm centre are also notified of the proposed operation (Annila, pers. comm.).
Fuel management plans are not a requirement of Finland's forestry operations.
GERMANY
Federal Republic of Germany
Fire management is not addressed in the Federal Forest Law. Fires are not a management problem in Germany. Virtually, every tree that burns is reported as a fire. A big fire in Germany is one hectare in size. Fires were reported to be particularly bad in 1992. This fire season followed a series of severe winter storms that blew down hectares of forest. There were 3,012 fires reported in 1992. However, the total forest area affected was 4,908 ha. Open fires and smoking are prohibited in all forests between March 1 and October 31.
These rules are strictly enforced by the local district foresters.
The Nature Preservation Law prohibits the use of fire as a site preparation method and there is also a construction law that prohibits building within 30 m of a forest.
Baden-Wurttemberg
Section 41 of the Forest Law prohibits fires in the forest without permission.
Permission must be received if a fire will not be contained within a special fireplace and will be lit within 100 m of the forest.
Fire preparedness or fuel management plans are not required prior to forest activities.
Bavaria
Section 17 of the Forest Law prohibits fires in the forest without a permit. Although a permit is needed by anyone wishing to light a fire, fire preparedness or fuel management plans are not required.
NOVA SCOTIA
All operators and their employees must have knowledge of fire protection regulations (Forests Act, s. 27-8). Operators must keep fire equipment on hand in the area of operation, and must comply with all provisions of the Forests Act relating to fire prevention and control (Standing Long-Term Licence Agreement, 1993:13). All engines, burners or incinerators must be fitted with spark arresting devices prior to operations within the forest or within 1000 feet (300m) of the woods (Forests Act, s. 27-5). All felled material, and any accumulated fuel must be removed within 15 m of the shoulder line of public roads to reduce fire risk (M.O.P.S., 1994, Ch 2:16, 17). Where a fire is burning or starts in the woods during forestry operations, immediate action must be taken by the operator to control and extinguish the fire, utilizing necessary personnel and equipment (Forests Act, s. 28-3). Construction of instream or bypass fire ponds is subject to inter-governmental authorization and special consideration is required for fish passage, and water quality and quantity concerns (NS DOS/DFO, 1983:26). While there are no specific guidelines regarding smoke abatement restrictions, industrial permits are required during the fire seasons before forest debris can be burned. Issuance of these permits is subject to factors such as prevailing wind conditions, and proximity to settlements.
ONTARIO
There is no requirement for fire preparedness plans in legislation, although the Forest Fires Prevention Act (1980, c 173), requires a work permit prior to commencement of operations. The work permit outlines the requirement for fire suppression equipment. Suspension of operation, and fire detection patrols would be under agreement with the forest operator, but the Ministry may suspend a work permit due to fire hazard (Tithecott, pers. comm.). There are no legislated smoke abatement requirements to restrict forest operations, but normal environmental legislation applies (Tithecott, pers. comm.).
OREGON
There are provisions for slash disposal in the Rules. Riparian and other special areas are also protected from fire guard construction. Other fire-related matters come under other legislation.
SWEDEN
There are no separate provisions in the Forestry Act regulating forest protection. Damage resulting from fire is viewed similar to a potential insect problem and is dealt with under Section 29, the Insect Damage clause.
Fire preparedness plans, fuel management plans or specifications for reducing fire hazards, except for wood removal provisions mentioned in the Insect Damage clause, are not required by the Forestry Act.
TASMANIA
Fire Management plans must be prepared for all consolidated areas of commercial forest over 50 ha (FPC, 1993:78), and Timber Harvesting Plans must state whether the area is covered by a Fire Management Plan or not. The Tasmania Fire Service and Forestry Commission have guidelines for fire management including fuel reduction burning and slash burning. Fire Prevention methods include the cessation of harvesting operations when total fire bans are declared, and strict fire protection codes for cable logging operations. Fire breaks and tracks must be provided as part of the fire management system, but consideration must be given to environmental values such as watercourses and erodibility of soil when locating them (FPC, 1993:79-80). Because most logging occurs away from communities, and because the window of opportunity for regeneration burns is very limited, smoke abatement restrictions are not in effect (Wilkinson, pers. comm.). Permanent changes to watercourses are allowed where dams must be built for access, or where excavations for small pools are required to provide water for fire fighting activities.
UNITED KINGDOM
Fire protection measures must be stated in the Woodland Grant Scheme, and approved on the application or plan of operations. Fire prevention measures are usually required, especially in larger upland forests where the risks are greater. Slash burning is not normally carried out. The risk of wildfire is not generally as a result of forest activities, but rather by accident, arson, or escaped moor burning fires. Fire suppression plans are prepared in conjunction with the local fire brigade and approved by managers and fire officers. Plans include factors such as: access routes, rendezvous points, and reporting procedures. Fuel management plans are not specified in the plans, and there are no requirements for reduction of fire hazards following completion of forestry activities (Bell, pers. comm.).
U.S. FOREST SERVICE (REGION 6)
There are provisions for fire management in various parts of the forest legislation covering management of national forests. Fuel management is addressed by regulations specific to each forest. Fire prevention rules are specified in timber sale contracts.
The Forest Service prepares its own fire preparedness (Pre-Attack) plans.
VICTORIA STATE
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is responsible for fire management and fire protection on all of Victoria's public lands (approximately 1/3 of the State). Fire Protection Plans exist for all areas of public land (Leonard, pers. comm.). Forest Coupe Plans and Private Forest Coupe Plans must identify fire protection restrictions. The designation of strategic areas to be cleared and maintained for fire breaks must be included in plantation designs. Stand tending operations must include fire prevention and protection measures to protect timber from wildfire. The burning of logging debris to prepare a site for regeneration or to reduce fire hazards must ensure that fire is contained within defined areas and retained vegetation is protected (Code, 1989:21, 39). Permanent changes to watercourses are not allowed for fire fighting activities, and all fire access roads not required for future management must be rehabilitated following completion of operations (Leonard, pers. comm.).
WASHINGTON
Some aspects of slash disposal, including burning, are addressed in the Rules under the headings of timber harvesting and reforestation. Other aspects of fire protection come under the Forest Protection Act.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The logging contractor must meet certain requirements for fire control as specified in the logging contract, the Fire Control Working Plans, and The Code of Logging Practice. In addition, regulations under the Bush Fires Act must be adhered to (COLP, 1990:19). Generally, no fires are to be lit in any forest area without permission of the F.O.I.C.. The contractor and employees must take all precautions to prevent occurrence or spread of fire, and must co-operate in fighting bush fires. Fire extinguishers and other firefighting tools and equipment must be at hand. Smoking is not allowed in pine plantations and only one fuel dump is allowed per logging site, which must be cleared of all vegetation and debris to minimum distance of 6 m. Fuelling must only occur where vegetation and debris has been cleared at least 1.5 m from that location. Patrol or inspection must occur within 2 hours of cessation of logging activity (COLP, 1990:20 -22).
