Loggers and Logging Equipment to Fight Wildland Fires:

Issues and Opportunities in Oregon (USA)

Chris BieleckiM.F. CandidateForest Engineering DepartmentOregon State University

Introduction

•Forest Engineering at Oregon State University

•Originally “Logging Engineering”

•Has grown to include multiple aspects of forest management

•Including:

•Forest operations

•Hydrology

•Harvesting technologies & silviculture

•Soil science

Introduction

•Forest Engineering at Oregon State University

•Forest Operations & Fire Operations

•Recent trends of the last decade highlight the expanding range of logging equipment

•Decrease in logging activity

Initial Reactions

•There is something to be learned from initial attack systems used by private contractors and landowners

•Machines have been recognized and used in battling wildfires on public lands; however, there is a need for more knowledge

Introduction

•Logging trends in Oregon and the world

•Increases in…

mechanization & technology

utilization

safety

fire suppression efficiency within the private industry

Introduction

Vs.

Project Objectives

•Goals

•define the issues

•coordinate with current participants

•provide additional research

*Oregon/PNW fire situation over the last few summers supports the need for improvement!

Biscuit Fire

B & B Complex

Fawn Creek Complex

Project Objectives

•Initial focus points:

•Safety regulations for workers

•Training concerns

•Developments in logging machinery for fighting fires

Project Methodology

•Participate in OR-OSHA safety code review (fire regulations)

•Conduct Interviews with experienced machine operators

•First hand observation of machines in use at wildfires

•Interaction with the Society of Automotive Engineers’ Forest Machinery Sub-committee

•Engineering analysis regarding modified machine stability

•Assessment of related Rules and Regulations

•Review of related research

Related Research

•Northern Rockies area (Montana, USA)

•“Big Iron” project

•US Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Private industry (Plum Creek Timber Co.)

•Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada (FERIC)

•Wildland fire operations group

•Includes water transport project

•Roscommon Equipment Center (Michigan, USA)

•US Forest Service, San Dimas Technology and Development Center

•Equipment inventory

Safety Regulations

•Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Administration

•Has recognized wildland firefighters since 1988

•Covers the range of firefighting levels

•Logging crews

•Contract firefighters

•State firefighters

*Also covers other areas involved with forest activities (training, machinery use, safety and health program)

Safety Regulations

•Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Administration

•Firefighting regulations are currently under review

•Participants include:

•OR-OSHA, Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, logging industry, contract firefighters, US Department of Labor, OSU

Other Policies

•Oregon Revised Statutes

(ORS) 477

Currently holds the landowner/operator responsible for fires occurring on the operation

•Includes having firefighting resources on site

"Every reasonable effort" means the use of the reasonably available personnel and equipment under the supervision and control of an owner or operator usually and customarily used in the forest industry to fight fire, which are needed to fight the fire and which can be brought to bear on the fire in a timely fashion.

Other Policies

•Issues

•Transitions

•Initial attack to extended attack

•Jurisdiction

•Need to eliminate inefficiencies & inconsistencies

•Ex: ordering wrong machines; nomex

•Better knowledge of machine type and capability

What additional training is required?

Training

•Training is currently is based on…

•Company policy and experience

•OR-OSHA

•Associated Oregon Loggers

•Provides the most common format used by the industry

•1 day session

•Includes video w/ interaction and review test

Equipment

•Some examples of equipment used in logging with proven applications in firefighting…

Equipment

Skidders

Skidgine = skidder + engine

Up to 1600 gallon capacity

Equipment

Skidgine

Equipment

Skidgine

This particular machine follows feller-bunchers with hot saws on logging operations

Equipment

Forwarder

Up to 3000 gallon capacity

Equipment

Forwarder

Equipment

Feller-Buncher

Some can handle trees up to 3’

Equipment

Excavators

Loaders

Harvester/Processors

Combi-machines (harvester + forwarder)

Equipment

Important points with regard to equipment:

•OR-OSHA briefly mentions machines used in firefighting:

437-007-1399 Machine Operation. Machines (tractors, skidders, or excavators) used for fire trail construction or fire fighting, may be operated on slopes in excess of 50 percent provided measures are taken to assure the stability of the machine by:(1) Using the blade, or(2) Tying to stumps, anchors, or other machines, or(3) Excavation to limit the effective slope under machine, etc.

Equipment

Important points with regard to equipment:

•Most machines are unique

•Innovated by operator based on individual needs and resources

•Standardization is difficult and should not be over-simplified

•Operator skill level has large effect on capability

•Accidents have been documented!

Equipment

Research:

•Observation of equipment (first-hand) to determine some guidelines for…

•slopes, vegetation, suppression tactics

*machines are commonly used in mop-up situations

•Operator interviews

•SAE expert input

•Is the manufacturer aware of the extent of machinery use?

•Stability and gradeability analysis for modified machines

•Example…

Equipment

Research:

•How does a load of water differ from a load of logs?

•Dynamic factors

•Gravity adjustments

•Acceleration

•Sloshing

•The full weight of the water is supported by the machine, which is sometimes different from logs

Conclusions

•This presents an opportunity for separate areas of forestry to work together towards achieving a common goal

•Safety is the number 1 priority

•Efficiency is the number 2 priority

•More and more advanced machines will continue to influence the management of fire suppression!

References

Bielecki, C. 2003. Slope stability model for wheeled forest machines with supplementary water tanks. Department of Forest Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Available from the author.

Driscoll, R.; Wood River Timber Inc., Klamath Falls, Oregon. August 28th, 2003. Personal interview.Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. Available at http://www.osha.gov/Kendrick, K.; The Collins Companies, Lakeview, Oregon. August 28th, 2003. Personal interview.Kuehn, S.; Plum Creek, Missoula, MT. November 10th, 2003. Personal Interview.Legislative Counsel Committee of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. 2001. Oregon Revised Statutes, Chapter 477—

Fire Protection of Forests and Vegetation. Available at http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/477.htmlMangan, D.; Blackbull Wildfire Services, LLC, Missoula, MT. November 10th, 2003. Personal Interview.Olson, K, J. Hansen, P. Unken.; Montana Logging Association. Kalispell, MT. November 11th, 2003. Personal Interview.Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 2003. Division 7: Forest Activities Code. Available at http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/Sessions, J, R. Buckman, M. Newton, and J. Hamann. 2003. The Biscuit Fire: Management Options for Forest Regeneration, Fire and Insect Risk Reduction and Timber Salvage. College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Sessions, J. Logging Mechanics course notes. College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Steele, J.; Bureau of Indian Affairs, Northern Rockies Coordinating Group, Missoula, MT. November 12th, 2003. Personal Interview.Townsend, E.; Townsend Machine and Repair, Kalispell, MT. November 11 th, 2003. Personal Interview.Veal, M., S.E. Taylor, and R.B. Rummer. 2003. Modelling rollover based behaviour of excavator-based forest machines (poster). Auburn University, Auburn, AL. Available from the author.Wampler, M.; Wampler Logging Co., Inc., Klamath Falls, Oregon. August 27th, 2003. Personal interview.Windell, K.; United States Forest Service, Missoula Technology and Development Center, Missoula, MT. November 12th, 2003. Personal Interview.

Questions?