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Kittita., Cnunty Law Enforccmo:nt Scr.1i;c,;, Waslun~tan SLJtc: <br />BLM-WA Spokane: Dislrict Ofiico: <br />PL'RCHASF ORDER r,,o 140L4319P00?4 <br />Page: 14 of26 <br />BLM FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR WASHINGTON, Dec 2013 <br />This outline covers the fire protection requirements of a contractor or private party who performs service or <br />construction contracts on BLM land, In Washington State, the BLM, US Forest Service, Bureau of lndian Affairs, <br />and Washington State Department ofNatural Resources all use the same four.Jevel industrial regulation system. <br />This system, which helps prevent wildfires by regulating work in the woods, is known as the Industrial Fire <br />Precaution Level (IFPL) system. <br />Information available at: hllp: 'W\\11 .bl m,g o tor dis tricts/~pukum:tfir t in ,Je:...vho <br />For areas outside this link (generally the Columbia Basin) call the local BLM office. Spokane 509-536-1200 <br />Wenatchee 509-665-2100. <br />I. CLOSED FIRE SEASON <br />The closed fire season means that fire sCilSOn ha.s been declared. The BLM works with their neighboring agencies <br />when declaring this issuing publi c nolftes through the new~-paptr and radio when fire season will be closed for their <br />Indivi dual districts. Closed fire season depends upon the drying of for~~t fuels, rainfall, and time of year. During <br />the closed fire season, the following requirements must be met: <br />a. Fire tools must be on site; <br />b. Fire extinguisher mi.1st be in al I vehicles; <br />c. Chainsaws must have a .023-inch mesh screen instnlled in the e:uuiust; <br />d. Only unmodifi ed saws arc to be used in the forest; <br />e. Approved spark omstci's must be on aJI internal combustion c<ngines; <br />f. Watchman service must be provided for 3 hrs after shutdown of power equipment for the d;iy : <br />g. No smokini: is permitted while working or traveling through any operations area in the forest · <br />h. No use of explosives is pennittcd unless approved by the BLM reprcseniatl vo; <br />i. Permits 10 bum nre required 11.nlcss waived b.y 11 BLM representntive. <br />j. Penn its 10 opcmlc: power-dri,vcn machinery shall be obtained by the Contractor prior 10 commencing <br />operatio ns unless waived by a represen tativ e of th e State Forester, <br />2. FIRE PRECAUTION LEVELS <br />There an: 4 fire precaution levels that begin with level l at the start of the closed fire season and can go through <br />level 4 if conditions warrant. The fire precaution levels restrict certain forest operations as the fire danger increases. <br />[t is the responsibility of the individual operating on forest/range land lo know the precaution level for the day and <br />take the correct fire precautions. There arc no precaution levels prior to the closed fire season. Each fire precaution <br />level requires adherence to the restrictions applicable 10 all lower levels in addition to the limits placed by that level. <br />At any time the local Fire M:inagement Officer, reserves the right to shut down any and all operations regardless of <br />the precaution level. <br />Level I: Closed Fire Season: Fire equipment and firewatch service is required. <br />Level U: Partial Hootowl: Limits certain activities between the hours of 8 p.m. and I p.m. <br />Level Ill: Partial Shutdown: Prohibits some activities altogether and limits other activities between the hours of 8 <br />p.m. and I p.m. <br />Level IV: General Shutdown: All operations prohibited.