Chapter 477 — Fire Protection of Forests and Vegetation

2011 EDITION

FIRE PROTECTION OF FORESTS & VEGETATION

PROTECTION FROM FIRE

GENERAL PROVISIONS

477.001 Definitions

477.005 Policy

477.009 Investigative authority of Attorney General for fire protection administration

SMOKE MANAGEMENT

477.013 Smoke management plan; rules

URBAN INTERFACE FIRE PROTECTION

477.015 Definitions

477.017 Legislative findings, policy and purpose

477.023 Fire protection system; integration with existing laws; cooperative agreements

477.025 Classification of lands to reflect different protection problems

477.027 Rules for classification of lands

477.029 Local land classification committee; members; officers; terms; rules

477.031 Duties of committee

477.052 Hearings on proposed classifications

477.054 Appeal of classification decisions; procedure

477.057 State Forester to classify land if county fails to act

477.059 Obligation of landowner to comply with standards; rules; certification by landowner; penalty for failure to comply

477.060 Considerations in determining cost of protection; special or additional costs

477.061 Short title

HAZARD ABATEMENT

477.062 Inadequately protected forestland declared nuisance; notice to protect; work at expense of owner; collection of amount expended

FIRE ABATEMENT

477.064 Uncontrolled fire declared nuisance

477.066 Duty of owner and operator to abate fire; abatement by authorities

477.067 Notice of fire

477.068 Liability for cost of abatement; interest; lien; foreclosure; attorney fees

477.069 Negligence in origin and in failure to control fire may be united in one complaint

477.085 Liability for cost of protecting land within a forest protection district

477.090 Civil liability; damages

477.095 Applicability of ORS 477.068, 477.085 and 477.090

477.100 Ability of owner to suppress fire; limitation

477.120 Liability of owner or operator

477.125 Liability of forest protective associations, rangeland protection associations and public bodies; limitations

477.128 Expenditures for criminal defense related to fire suppression activities

NORTHWEST WILDLAND FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT

477.175 Definition of “all possible aid” for agreement

477.180 Ratification of amendment to agreement; withdrawal if Legislative Assembly fails to ratify amendment

477.185 Use of local fire protection resources

477.190 Authority of Governor to carry out agreement

477.195 Ratification of Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement

477.200 Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement

FOREST PROTECTION DISTRICTS

477.205 Definitions for ORS 477.205 to 477.281

477.210 Duty of owner to protect forestland; forester’s duty to provide protection upon noncompliance

477.220 Lands not provided protection; lands not included within ORS 477.205 to 477.281

477.225 Establishment and change of forest protection districts; rules

477.230 Basis for computing cost of protection provided by forester; costs to be in accordance with budget

477.232 Costs in excess of budget; amounts not expended

477.235 Forester to prepare tentative budget estimates for districts

477.240 Advisory and guidance committees

477.245 Owners entitled to be heard on budget matters; public budget meetings to be held in district

477.250 Notice of budget meeting; notice of proposed assessment

477.255 Holding of budget meeting; revision and submission of budget for final approval

477.260 Appeal to board

477.265 Board to deal with budgets annually

477.270 Budgeted cost of forester to be lien; collection; deposit of amounts collected

477.277 Additional assessment to maintain unencumbered balance of Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund

477.281 Limitation on obligation of landowner for fire protection

477.295 Minimum assessment under ORS 477.270; combining lots; fees; rules

477.300 Use of funds in State Forestry Department Account for capital outlay expenditures of district

477.305 Forester to enforce prohibition against littering on forestland in districts

RANGELAND

477.315 Definition for ORS 477.315 to 477.325

477.317 Rangeland protection associations; organization; assistance from forester

477.320 Request of rangeland owners for protection; hearings; determination; cooperative agreements for protection

477.325 Budget for rangeland protection; collection of costs; disposition of receipts

FIRE WARDENS

477.355 Fire wardens generally

477.360 Duties of fire warden for forest protection district

477.365 Duties and powers of wardens

COOPERATIVE CONTRACTS OR AGREEMENTS

477.406 Cooperative contracts or agreements for forest protection or forest related activities; negotiation

477.408 Provisions of contract or agreement

477.410 Liability of parties; responsibility for equipment; unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation; sovereign immunity

477.412 Disposition and use of moneys received by forester under contract or agreement

477.415 Definitions for ORS 477.440 to 477.460

477.440 Emergency Fire Cost Committee; members; terms; vacancies

477.445 Distribution of fire emergency funds by committee

477.450 Election of committee chairperson

477.455 Meetings of committee; committee administrator

477.460 Duties of administrator; compensation and expenses

FIRE PREVENTION

(Fire Seasons)

477.505 State Forester may declare fire season in district

477.510 Acts prohibited during fire season

(Permits)

477.515 Permits required for fires on forestlands; waiver; permit conditions; cooperative agreements for permit administration; rules

477.520 Refusal, suspension or revocation of permits

477.532 Regional air quality authority’s functions limited

(Restricted Uses)

477.535 Forester may proclaim forestland subject to restricted uses; coordination of state and federal land restrictions

477.540 Notice of proclamation; suspension or termination; reinstatement

477.545 Restricted uses during closure

477.550 Violation of restrictions; access for fire fighting permitted

(Smoke Management)

477.552 Policy

477.554 Program establishment; content

477.556 Advisory committee; membership; terms; staff

477.558 Functions for advisory committee

477.560 Oregon Forest Smoke Management Account; moneys paid to account; use

477.562 Registration fee; rules

SNAGS; SLASHING AND OTHER DEBRIS

477.565 Felling dead trees and snags; rules

477.580 Determination of additional fire hazards; notice to landowner; plan for reducing hazard; release from liability

MACHINERY REGULATIONS

(Enjoining Violations)

477.605 Enjoining violations of ORS 477.615 and 477.645 to 477.655

477.610 Standardization of fire-fighting equipment used to protect forestland; rules

(General Regulations)

477.615 Additional water supply and equipment; rules

477.625 Permit to use fire or power-driven machinery; exception; conditions; waiver of permit

477.630 Information in permit

477.635 Authority to issue, refuse, suspend or revoke permit

(Fire Season Regulations)

477.640 Use and refueling of power saws

477.645 Internal combustion engines; rules

477.650 Stationary internal combustion engines; rules; waiver

477.655 Fire-fighting tools and equipment at operation area and on trucks; rules

477.660 Additional protection facilities or services at operation area

477.665 Fire watch service; rules; waiver

477.670 When use of fire or power-driven machinery prohibited

MISCELLANEOUS

477.695 Removal of flammable material from railroad rights of way

477.710 Starting of campfire or other open fire restricted; exceptions

477.720 Accidentally setting fire to forestland; failure to prevent spread

477.740 Unlawful use of fire

477.745 Liability of parents for costs of suppressing fire caused by minor child

477.747 Policies and plans for restoration of burned forestland

OREGON FOREST LAND PROTECTION FUND

477.750 Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund; source; use

477.755 Appropriation of fund for emergency fire suppression costs; limitation on expenditures

477.760 Reserve base of fund fixed; annual determination of excess over base; tax levies and assessments to maintain base

477.770 Rules relating to use of fund

477.775 Emergency fire suppression costs insurance; considerations; payment of premium from fund

477.777 Budget request required for fire insurance and fire suppression resources; report

ASSESSMENT FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION COSTS

477.880 Acreage assessment; east side forestlands; certain forestlands west of Cascade Mountains; rate

477.960 Collection of assessment

477.970 Disposition of receipts

PENALTIES

477.980 Enforcement policy; rules; factors considered

477.985 Enforcement procedure

477.993 Penalties

GENERAL PROVISIONS

477.001 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Additional fire hazard” means a hazard that has been determined to exist by the forester pursuant to ORS 477.580.

(2) “Board” means the State Board of Forestry.

(3) “Campfire” means any open fire used for cooking, personal warmth, lighting, ceremonial or aesthetic purposes that is hand built and that is not associated with any debris disposal activities.

(4) “Department” means the State Forestry Department.

(5) “District” means a forest protection district organized under ORS 477.225.

(6) “Every reasonable effort” means the use of the reasonably available personnel and equipment under the supervision and control of an owner or operator, which are needed and effective to fight the fire in the judgment of the forester and which can be brought to bear on the fire in a timely fashion.

(7) “Fire season” means a period designated pursuant to ORS 477.505.

(8) “Fiscal year” means the period beginning on July 1 of any year and ending on June 30 of the next year.

(9) “Forestland” means any woodland, brushland, timberland, grazing land or clearing that, during any time of the year, contains enough forest growth, slashing or vegetation to constitute, in the judgment of the forester, a fire hazard, regardless of how the land is zoned or taxed. As used in this subsection, “clearing” means any grassland, improved area, lake, meadow, mechanically or manually cleared area, road, rocky area, stream or other similar forestland opening that is surrounded by or contiguous to forestland and that has been included in areas classified as forestland under ORS 526.305 to 526.370.

(10) “Forest patrol assessment” means the costs levied and assessed under ORS 477.270.

(11) “Forest protective association” or “association” means an association, group or agency composed of owners of forestlands, organized for the purpose of protecting such forestlands from fire.

(12) “Forest resource” means the various types of vegetation normally growing on Oregon’s forestland, the associated harvested products and the associated residue, including but not limited to brush, grass, logs, saplings, seedlings, trees and slashing.

(13) “Forester” means the State Forester or authorized representative.

(14) “Governing body” of a county means the county court or board of county commissioners.

(15) “Grazing land” is defined by ORS 477.205.

(16) “Open fire” means any outdoor fire that occurs in such a manner that combustion air is not effectively controlled and combustion products are not effectively vented through a stack or chimney.

(17) “Operation” means any industrial activity, any development or any improvement on forestland inside or within one-eighth of one mile of a forest protection district, including but not limited to the harvesting of forest tree species, the clearing of land, the use of power-driven machinery and the use of fire, excluding, however, the culture and harvesting of agricultural crops.

(18) “Operation area” means the area on which an operation is being conducted and the area on which operation activity may have resulted in the ignition of a fire.

(19) “Operation in progress” means that time when workers are on an operation area for the purpose of an operation, including the period of time when fire watches are required to be on the operation area pursuant to ORS 477.665.

(20) “Operator” means any person who, either personally or through employees, agents, representatives or contractors, is carrying on or has carried on any operation.

(21) “Owner” means an individual, a combination of individuals, a partnership, a corporation, the State of Oregon or a political subdivision thereof, or an association of any nature that holds an ownership interest in land.

(22) “Political subdivision” includes, but is not limited to, counties, cities and special districts.

(23) “Rangeland” is defined by ORS 477.315.

(24) “Routine road maintenance” is defined by ORS 477.625.

(25) “Side” means any single unit of a logging operation employing power-driven machinery.

(26) “Slashing” means the forest debris or refuse on any forestland resulting from the cutting, killing, pruning, severing or removal of brush, trees or other forest growth.

(27) “State Forester” means the person appointed State Forester pursuant to ORS 526.031 or the person serving in the position on an interim or delegated basis.

(28) “Summit of the Cascade Mountains” is considered to be a line beginning at the intersection of the northern boundary of the State of Oregon and the western boundary of Wasco County; thence southerly along the western boundaries of Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes and Klamath Counties to the southern boundary of the State of Oregon.

(29) “Timberland” is defined by ORS 477.205.

(30) “Warden” means a fire warden appointed under ORS 477.355. [1959 c.363 §2 (enacted in lieu of 477.002); 1961 c.603 §1; 1965 c.253 §44; 1967 c.429 §34; 1973 c.46 §1; 1983 c.22 §1; 1985 c.759 §32; 1997 c.274 §1; 1999 c.59 §156; 1999 c.355 §2; 2003 c.54 §3]

477.002 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; subsection (2) of 1957 Replacement Part enacted as 1953 c.372 §2; subsection (5) of 1957 Replacement Part enacted as 1953 c.152 §1; amended by 1955 c.158 §1; repealed by 1959 c.363 §1 (477.001 enacted in lieu of 477.002)]

477.003 [1959 c.363 §20; repealed by 1961 c.351 §1]

477.004 [Repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.005 Policy. (1) The preservation of the forests and the conservation of the forest resources through the prevention and suppression of forest fires hereby are declared to be the public policy of the State of Oregon.

(2) In order to accomplish the purposes of the policy stated in this section:

(a) The need for a complete and coordinated forest protection system is acknowledged and the primary mission of the State Forestry Department in such a system is protecting forest resources, second only to saving lives. Structural protection, though indirect, shall not inhibit protection of forest resources; and

(b) This chapter shall include all persons and activities designated in this chapter, irrespective as to whether or not such person or activity is concerned with the harvesting, cutting, removal or marketing of trees, timber or other forest products. [Formerly 477.022; 1965 c.253 §45; 1989 c.615 §5]

477.006 [Repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.008 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §87; renumbered 477.360]

477.009 Investigative authority of Attorney General for fire protection administration. (1) For the purpose of an investigation as to liability for cost of hazard abatement, fire abatement or damages under this chapter, the Attorney General, at the request of the State Forester, may administer oaths and affirmations, take testimony or depositions and by subpoena compel the:

(a) Attendance of witnesses;

(b) Production of documents, including but not limited to writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, and other data compilations from which information can be obtained and translated; and

(c) Production of any other tangible thing that the Attorney General deems relevant or material to the investigation.

(2) Each witness subpoenaed under subsection (1) of this section shall receive the fees and mileage provided in ORS 44.415 (2).

(3) If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued or a party or witness refuses to testify on any matters, the judge of the circuit court of any county, on the application of the State Forester, shall compel obedience by proceedings for contempt as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from such court or a refusal to testify therein. [1993 c.697 §6]

477.010 [Repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.012 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §88; renumbered 477.365]

SMOKE MANAGEMENT

477.013 Smoke management plan; rules. (1) For the purpose of maintaining air quality, the State Forester and the Department of Environmental Quality shall approve a plan for the purpose of managing smoke in areas they shall designate. The plan shall delineate regulated areas to which this section applies. The plan shall also include but not be limited to considerations of weather, volume of material to be burned, distance of the burning from designated areas, burning techniques and provisions for cessation of further burning under adverse air quality conditions. All burning permitted within the regulated areas shall be according to the plan. The plan shall be developed by the State Forestry Department in cooperation with federal and state agencies, landowners and organizations that will be affected by the plan. The approved plan shall be filed with the Secretary of State and may thereafter be amended in the same manner as its formation.

(2) The State Forester shall promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of the smoke management plan approved under this section. [1997 c.274 §47; 2007 c.213 §1]

477.014 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §89; renumbered 477.370]

URBAN INTERFACE FIRE PROTECTION

477.015 Definitions. (1) As used in ORS 477.015 to 477.061, unless the context otherwise requires, “forestland-urban interface” means a geographic area of forestland inside a forest protection district where there exists a concentration of structures in an urban or suburban setting.

(2) As used in ORS 477.015 to 477.057, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “Committee” means a county forestland-urban interface classification committee.

(b) “Governing body” means the board of county commissioners or county court of a county, as the case may be. [1997 c.429 §§3,8]

477.016 [1963 c.107 §8; amended by 1965 c.253 §72; renumbered 477.300]

477.017 Legislative findings, policy and purpose. (1) The Legislative Assembly finds that:

(a) The forestland-urban interface situation in Oregon is a result of both past and present conditions and that, given projected trends, the forestland-urban interface situation will continue to grow.

(b) Urban and suburban structures, real property and natural resources are subject to increased risks of catastrophic damage by forestland-urban interface fire events.

(c) There is greater complexity in forestland-urban interface fire protection than in either resource land fire protection or urban structural fire protection.

(d) In dealing with the forestland-urban interface situation, major and long term solutions will involve local actions and efforts by property owners.

(e) One solution or set of solutions will not fit all situations or areas of the state.

(2) The Legislative Assembly declares that:

(a) In order to ensure the protection of human life, the safety of citizens and fire service personnel and the highest possible level of livability in Oregon, it is necessary to provide a complete and coordinated fire protection system within the forestland-urban interface in Oregon.

(b) All forestland-urban interface property owners have a basic responsibility to share in this complete and coordinated protection system by providing efforts against fire.

(c) Public and property owner education and awareness is critical to forestland-urban interface solutions and must occur at multiple levels.

(d) In administration of ORS 477.015 to 477.061, it is the intent of the Legislative Assembly that property owners who will be affected by ORS 477.015 to 477.061 will be:

(A) Involved in the processes of development of administrative rules pursuant to ORS 477.015 to 477.061; and

(B) Notified of the outcomes of classification pursuant to ORS 477.015 to 477.057.

(3) The purpose of ORS 477.015 to 477.061 is to:

(a) Provide a forestland-urban interface fire protection system in Oregon that minimizes cost and risk while maximizing effectiveness and efficiency for protection of the values at risk from fire.

(b) Promote and encourage property owner efforts to minimize and mitigate fire hazards and risks within the forestland-urban interface.

(c) Promote and encourage the involvement and interaction of all levels of government and the private sector that have a direct or indirect interest and role in the forestland-urban interface situation over the long term. [1997 c.429 §§4,5,7; 2007 c.30 §1]

477.020 [1959 c.408 §§1,2,3,4,5; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.022 [1953 c.372 §1; 1961 c.603 §2; renumbered 477.005]

477.023 Fire protection system; integration with existing laws; cooperative agreements. (1) The forestland-urban interface in Oregon represents a unique fire protection situation that requires that unique and special measures be taken to ensure adequate public safety and protection of property, development and natural resources. Therefore, it is declared to be the public policy of the State of Oregon to encourage and provide a complete and coordinated forestland-urban interface fire protection system.

(2)(a) It is recognized that forestland-urban interface areas are already subject to other laws and to regulations of other agencies. It is the intent of ORS 477.015 to 477.061 to integrate with and not replace those other laws and regulations.

(b) In the event of an apparent conflict between the obligations imposed by ORS 477.015 to 477.061 and by other laws or regulations for which the forester is responsible and has jurisdiction, the forester shall resolve the conflict within the scope of the forester’s authority.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection, the obligations imposed by ORS 477.015 to 477.061 do not supersede or replace federal law or regulation, other state law or rules, or more restrictive local government ordinance or code.

(d) In the event of an apparent conflict between the obligations imposed by ORS 477.015 to 477.061 and a more restrictive local government ordinance or code, the State Forester may enter into a cooperative agreement with the governing body of a local government, the terms of which provide that ORS 477.015 to 477.061 supersede the local government ordinance or code in specified cases.

(e) In the event of an apparent conflict between the obligations imposed by ORS 477.015 to 477.061 and the declaration, bylaws, rules or regulations of a homeowners association, the State Forester may enter into a cooperative agreement with the homeowners association that allows the declaration, bylaws, rules or regulations of the homeowners association to supersede ORS 477.015 to 477.061 in specified cases. The term of a cooperative agreement entered into under this paragraph may not exceed five years.

(f) When a real property lot includes one or more structures that have multiple owners, the State Forester may enter into a cooperative agreement with one or more of the owners, or a person designated as the representative of the owners, for the purposes of matters related to ORS 477.015 to 477.061. The term of a cooperative agreement entered into under this paragraph may not exceed five years.

(g) Compliance with the obligations imposed by ORS 477.015 to 477.061 does not relieve the owner of land of the requirements of other laws or regulations that might apply to the land in question.

(3) To encourage development of a complete and coordinated forestland-urban interface fire protection system, it is declared to be in the public interest that the State Board of Forestry and the State Forester take a lead role in statewide coordination of the forestland-urban interface situation with other state and federal agencies, local governments and private sector interests that are concerned with fire protection in the forestland-urban interface. [1997 c.429 §6; 2007 c.30 §2]

477.024 [1953 c.372 §3; 1955 c.318 §1; 1965 c.253 §57; renumbered 477.210]

477.025 Classification of lands to reflect different protection problems. The Legislative Assembly recognizes that the forestland-urban interface in Oregon varies by condition, situation, fire hazard and risk, that different forestland-urban interface fire protection problems exist across the state because of this variability, that these different problems necessitate varied fire prevention and protection practices and that, in order to give recognition to such differences and their effect on the accomplishment of the public policy stated in ORS 477.023, certain classifications of the forestland-urban interface within the State of Oregon are established by ORS 477.027 to 477.057. [1997 c.429 §9]

477.026 [1953 c.372 §4; 1965 c.253 §59; renumbered 477.225]

477.027 Rules for classification of lands. By administrative rule, the State Board of Forestry shall establish criteria by which the forestland-urban interface shall be identified and classified. The criteria shall recognize differences across the state in fire hazard, fire risk and structural characteristics within the forestland-urban interface. The criteria shall include not less than three nor more than five classes of forestland-urban interface. [1997 c.429 §10; 2007 c.30 §3]

477.028 [1953 c.372 §5; 1957 c.83 §6; 1959 c.363 §3; 1963 c.107 §1; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.029 Local land classification committee; members; officers; terms; rules. (1) Pursuant to a request by the State Forester, the governing body of a county containing forestland-urban interface may establish a county forestland-urban interface classification committee of five persons, of whom one shall be appointed by the State Forester, one by the State Fire Marshal and three by the governing body. Of the members appointed by the governing body, one must be an owner of land within the forestland-urban interface who permanently resides on the land. Each appointing authority shall file with the State Forester the name of its appointee or appointees, and the persons so named shall constitute the committee for the county. Unless otherwise provided for by the appointing authority, members of the committee shall serve a term of four years and may be reappointed to any number of terms. Each member of the committee at all times is subject to replacement by the appointing authority, effective upon the filing with the State Forester by that authority of written notice of the name of the new appointee.

(2) The committee shall elect from among its members a chair and a secretary and may elect other officers as it finds advisable. The committee shall adopt rules governing its organization and proceedings and the performance of its duties, and shall keep written minutes of all its meetings. A quorum of the county forestland-urban interface classification committee for official actions is three members, and a quorum of a committee established pursuant to subsection (4)(a) of this section is four members.

(3) The governing body of the county may provide for the committee and its employees such accommodations and supplies and such county funds not otherwise appropriated as the governing body finds necessary for the proper performance of the committee’s functions. The members of the committee shall receive no compensation for their services, but the governing body may reimburse them for their actual and necessary travel and other expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. By written agreement between the State Forester and the governing body, the State Forestry Department may provide the functions or be responsible for part or all of the expenses referred to in this subsection.

(4) In the interest of efficiency, by written agreement between the State Forester and the governing body, if a forestland classification committee is established and active within a county pursuant to ORS 526.305 to 526.340, the members of that committee may also serve on the county forestland-urban interface classification committee established by subsection (1) of this section. In the event that this agreement is made, the State Forester and the governing body shall ensure that either:

(a) A State Fire Marshal appointee and an owner of land within the forestland-urban interface who permanently resides on the land are added to the county forestland classification committee to bring the total number of committee members to seven; or

(b) The State Fire Marshal approves of the current membership of the county forestland classification committee and the committee includes an owner of land within the forestland-urban interface who permanently resides on the land. [1997 c.429 §11; 2007 c.30 §4]

477.030 [1953 c.372 §6; 1959 c.363 §4; 1965 c.253 §60; 1965 c.312 §1; renumbered 477.230]

477.031 Duties of committee. (1) A county forestland-urban interface classification committee established under ORS 477.029 shall periodically identify all land to be designated as forestland-urban interface within the county based on the criteria developed pursuant to ORS 477.027.

(2) The committee shall assign all forestland-urban interface forestland identified under subsection (1) of this section to one of the forestland-urban interface classes developed pursuant to ORS 477.027.

(3) Before making final designations and classifications under this section, the committee shall adopt proposed designations and classifications. The committee shall publish notice of the proposed designations and classifications once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, to be posted in three public places within the county, and to be mailed to the owners of land that is affected by the proposed designations and classifications. The notice shall state the time and place for hearing or receiving objections, remonstrances or suggestions as to the proposed designations and classifications and the place where maps of the proposed designations and classifications may be inspected. [1997 c.429 §§12,13; 2007 c.30 §5]

477.032 [Renumbered 477.062]

477.033 [1953 c.372 §7; 1955 c.318 §2; 1957 c.83 §7; 1961 c.603 §3; 1963 c.107 §2; 1965 c.253 §69; 1965 c.312 §2; 1965 c.428 §10; renumbered 477.270]

477.034 [Amended by 1953 c.661 §2; renumbered 477.064]

477.035 [1953 c.372 §8; 1965 c.253 §70; 1965 c.312 §3; renumbered 477.285]

477.036 [Amended by 1953 c.661 §2; renumbered 477.066]

477.037 [1953 c.372 §9; 1959 c.363 §5; 1961 c.603 §5; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.038 [Amended by 1953 c.661 §2; renumbered 477.068]

477.039 [1953 c.372 §10; 1963 c.107 §3; 1965 c.253 §71; renumbered 477.291]

477.040 [Amended by 1953 c.661 §2; renumbered 477.070]

477.041 [1953 c.372 §11; 1965 c.253 §61; renumbered 477.235]

477.042 [Amended by 1953 c.661 §2; renumbered 477.071 and then 477.067]

477.043 [1953 c.372 §§12,16; 1957 c.32 §1; 1965 c.253 §64; renumbered 477.245]

477.044 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.045 [1953 c.372 §13; 1965 c.253 §65; renumbered 477.250]

477.046 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.047 [1953 c.372 §14; 1965 c.253 §66; renumbered 477.255]

477.048 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.049 [1953 c.372 §15; 1965 c.253 §67; renumbered 477.260]

477.050 [Amended by 1953 c.37 §2; renumbered 477.073]

477.051 [1953 c.372 §17; 1965 c.253 §68; renumbered 477.265]

477.052 Hearings on proposed classifications. (1) The county forestland-urban interface classification committee shall hold a public hearing at the time and place stated in the notice published under ORS 477.031 (3), or at such other time and place to which the hearing may be adjourned, to receive from any interested persons objections, remonstrances or suggestions relating to the proposed designations and classifications. Following the hearing the committee may make such changes in the proposed designations and classifications as it finds to be proper, hold additional hearings as it finds necessary, and thereafter shall make final designations and classifications.

(2) All final action by the committee in designating and classifying forestland-urban interface shall be by formal written order, which must include a statement of findings of fact on the basis of which the order is made, and must include a list of all land designated and classified. The committee shall prepare one or more maps showing the final designations and classifications made. The original of the order shall be filed with the county clerk of the county. The order need not meet the requirements of ORS 205.232 to be filed and recorded. A copy of the order certified by the secretary of the committee shall be sent to the State Forester.

(3) Copies of the order, lists of land and maps required by this section shall be maintained in designated offices of the forester where they shall be made available for public inspection. [1997 c.429 §14; 2007 c.30 §6]

477.053 [1953 c.372 §18; 1955 c.318 §3; 1961 c.603 §6; 1965 c.253 §58; renumbered 477.220]

477.054 Appeal of classification decisions; procedure. (1) Any owner of land designated and classified under ORS 477.027 to 477.057 who is aggrieved by the designation or classification may, within 30 days after the date of the order making the designation and classification, appeal to the circuit court for the county. Notice of an appeal shall be promptly served on the secretary of the committee or, if the designation and classification was made under ORS 477.057, on the State Forester.

(2) The appeal shall be tried by the circuit court as an action not triable by right to a jury. [1997 c.429 §15; 2007 c.30 §7]

477.055 [1953 c.372 §19; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153 and 1965 c.428 §18]

477.056 [1965 c.253 §47 (enacted in lieu of 477.070); 1967 c.429 §57; renumbered 477.120]

477.057 State Forester to classify land if county fails to act. (1) The State Forester may designate and classify forestland-urban interface, consistent with and as described in ORS 477.031 to 477.054, if a designation and classification of forestland-urban interface is not made by the county forestland-urban interface classification committee within a county in which such land is situated because:

(a) The governing body of the county fails to establish a county forestland-urban interface committee within two years after the State Forester makes a request under ORS 477.029 (1);

(b) The committee fails to make a designation and classification within five years after being appointed, or the committee fails to make a designation and classification within five years of the last designation and classification made by the committee; or

(c) The committee fails to make a designation and classification in a manner consistent with ORS 477.031 to 477.054.

(2) Designation and classification by the State Forester has the same force and effect as though made by a committee for that county. However, designations and classifications made by the State Forester cease to be effective if replaced by designations and classifications made pursuant to ORS 477.052 by the appropriate committee. [1997 c.429 §16; 2007 c.30 §8]

477.058 [1965 c.253 §49 (enacted in lieu of 477.148); 1967 c.429 §58; renumbered 477.130]

477.059 Obligation of landowner to comply with standards; rules; certification by landowner; penalty for failure to comply. (1)(a) The State Board of Forestry shall by rule establish minimum standards for minimizing or mitigating:

(A) Fire hazards or risks on land within a forestland-urban interface due to the presence of structures or the arrangement or accumulation of vegetative fuels; and

(B) Other fire hazards or risks or combinations of fire hazards or risks.

(b) In adopting rules under this subsection, the board shall take into account the variability of the forestland-urban interface in different parts of the state.

(c) An owner of land within a forestland-urban interface must comply with the minimum standards applicable to the land.

(2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, but no more frequently than once every five years, the State Forester shall provide written notice of the applicable minimum standards established under this section to each owner of land within a forestland-urban interface, unless the owner requests a copy more frequently.

(b) The board need not give notice under paragraph (a) of this subsection to an owner of land if the owner is a member of a homeowners association by reason of owning the land and the State Forester has entered into a cooperative agreement with the homeowners association pursuant to ORS 477.023 (2)(e) that provides for notice to owners through the association.

(3) An owner of land within a forestland-urban interface must certify in writing to the State Forester that the owner has complied with the applicable minimum standards established under this section not later than two years after the order designating the land as being within the forestland-urban interface is filed with the county clerk under ORS 477.052 (2). If a subsequent order is filed that changes the classification of the land, the owner of the land must make a supplemental certification in writing to the State Forester that reflects the measures that the owner has taken to comply with the applicable minimum standards established under this section for the new classification not later than six months after the new order is filed.

(4) The State Forester shall accept certifications made to the forester under subsection (3) of this section. Any owner of land whose written certification has been accepted by the State Forester under this subsection is not liable for the costs of suppressing a fire under subsection (6) of this section, unless the State Forester subsequently determines that the owner of land has provided a false certification.

(5) The State Board of Forestry may require periodic renewal of a certification accepted by the State Forester under subsection (4) of this section, and may require supplemental certifications from the owner of land that reflect the measures that the owner has taken to comply with the applicable minimum standards established under this section. An owner of land is responsible for maintaining the land described by the certification in compliance with the applicable minimum standards established under this section.

(6) The owner of land designated to be within a forestland-urban interface is liable to the State Forester for the costs of suppressing a fire that occurs on that land, as described in subsection (7) of this section, if:

(a) The owner has failed to meet the applicable minimum standards established under this section;

(b) The fire originates on the owner’s land;

(c) The ignition or spread of the fire is directly related to the owner’s failure to meet the applicable minimum standards established under this section; and

(d) The fire requires action by the forester pursuant to ORS 477.066 (2).

(7) The liability of an owner of land under subsection (6) of this section may not exceed $100,000. The State Forester may not seek recovery under subsection (6) of this section for any portion of the costs of suppressing a fire that are the ordinary costs of the regular personnel and equipment of the forest protection district in which the land is located. This subsection does not limit the liability of the owner under ORS 477.120. [1997 c.429 §17; 2007 c.30 §9]

477.060 Considerations in determining cost of protection; special or additional costs. (1) In determining the annual cost of protection pursuant to ORS 477.230, the forester may consider and include the special or additional cost of fire protection for property owners within a forestland-urban interface classification, including the special or unique costs of assessment processing and administration.

(2) The forester shall identify special or additional costs identified by subsection (1) of this section in the budget required by ORS 477.230 to 477.300. These special or additional costs are in addition to the annual cost of ORS 477.230 (1) and may not exceed $25 annually for each real property lot. Only those owners of land within a forestland-urban interface classification in a forest protection district shall bear the special or additional cost of fire protection within the forestland-urban interface in a manner consistent with rules promulgated by the State Board of Forestry. [1997 c.429 §18; 2001 c.361 §1; 2007 c.30 §10]

477.061 Short title. ORS 477.015 to 477.061 shall be known as the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act. [1997 c.429 §2; 2007 c.30 §11]

HAZARD ABATEMENT

477.062 Inadequately protected forestland declared nuisance; notice to protect; work at expense of owner; collection of amount expended. (1) All forestland that by reason of its lack of adequate fire protection endangers life, forest resources or property is declared to be a public nuisance.

(2) Whenever the forester learns thereof, the forester may direct the owner or operator of such forestland to take proper steps for its protection and advise the owner or operator of means to that end. In case of refusal or neglect by either to take precautions against fire required by law or when so directed by the forester in writing, within such time as is specified in the writing, then the forester may have such work done as the forester considers necessary for the protection of life, forest resources or property, without the necessity of court action.

(3) The cost of work under subsection (2) of this section and the expense of any patrol rendered necessary by the want of adequate protection of such forestland shall be recoverable from the offender by an action prosecuted in the name of the state.

(4) All moneys collected under this section shall be paid into the State Treasury, credited to the State Forestry Department Account and expended as other moneys in that account are expended. [Formerly 477.032; 1965 c.253 §50; 1997 c.274 §2]

FIRE ABATEMENT

477.064 Uncontrolled fire declared nuisance. Any fire on any forestland in Oregon burning uncontrolled or without proper action being taken to prevent its spread, notwithstanding its origin, is declared a public nuisance by reason of its menace to life, forest resources or property. The spread of fire in forestland across an ownership boundary is prima facie evidence of fire burning uncontrolled. [Formerly 477.034; 1997 c.274 §3]

477.066 Duty of owner and operator to abate fire; abatement by authorities. (1) Each owner and operator of forestland on which a fire exists or from which it may have spread, notwithstanding the origin or subsequent spread thereof, shall immediately proceed to control and extinguish such fire when its existence comes to the knowledge of the owner or operator, without awaiting instructions from the forester, and shall continue until the fire is extinguished.

(2) If the forester determines the fire is either burning uncontrolled or the owner or operator does not then have readily and immediately available personnel and equipment to control or extinguish the fire, the forester, or any forest protective association or agency under contract or agreement with the State Board of Forestry for the protection of forestland against fire, and within whose protection area the fire exists, shall summarily abate the nuisance thus constituted by controlling and extinguishing the fire.

(3) An owner may request in writing that the forester employ alternate fire prevention and suppression strategies or techniques on the owner’s forestland. The forester may employ some or all of the requested strategies or techniques when, in the judgment of the forester, conditions warrant the use of the alternate strategies or techniques. [Formerly 477.036; 1961 c.603 §7; 1965 c.253 §51; 1967 c.429 §1; 1983 c.22 §2; 1999 c.355 §3]

477.067 Notice of fire. For the purpose of ORS 477.066, notification to the owner or operator of the forestland, is considered sufficient notification to the owner of the existence of a fire. [Formerly 477.042 and then 477.071]

477.068 Liability for cost of abatement; interest; lien; foreclosure; attorney fees. (1) In case an owner or operator fails to perform the duty required by ORS 477.066, or is willful, malicious or negligent in the origin or subsequent spread of the fire, the actual cost incurred by the forester or a forest protective association or agency in controlling or extinguishing the fire shall be paid by the owner or operator within 90 days after the date on which the first written demand for payment of the actual cost is mailed by the State Forester to the owner or operator. If the actual cost is not paid within such 90-day period, such amount shall bear interest at 10 percent per year from the date on which the first written demand for the payment of the actual costs was mailed by the State Forester and the actual cost together with such interest may be recovered from such owner or operator by an action prosecuted in the name of the State of Oregon, or such forest protective association or agency, or both.

(2) An itemized statement of the actual cost incurred by the forester or association or agency, or both, certified to by the forester, shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of the actual cost in any proceeding authorized by this section.

(3) The actual cost in cases covered by ORS 477.066 shall constitute a general lien upon the real and personal property of such owner or operator. A written notice of the lien, containing a description of the property and a statement of the actual cost, shall be certified under oath by the forester or any warden and filed in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the lands and personal property are situated within 12 months after the calendar year within which the fire originated, and may be foreclosed in the manner provided by law for foreclosure of liens for labor and material. In any proceeding to foreclose a lien created under this subsection, recovery for the plaintiff shall include, in addition to the amount of the actual cost, interest on such amount at the rate of 10 percent per year from the date of the filing of the written notice of the lien.

(4) Upon request of the forester, the district attorney for the district in which the lands and personal property are situated or the Attorney General shall prosecute such action or foreclose the lien in the name of the State of Oregon or such forest protective association or agency, or both. Liens provided for in this section shall cease to exist unless suit for foreclosure is instituted within 12 months from the date of filing under subsection (3) of this section.

(5) In any action under subsection (1) of this section to recover actual cost and in any proceeding to foreclose any lien created by subsection (3) of this section, the court shall award, in addition to costs and disbursements, reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal to the prevailing party. [Formerly 477.038; 1955 c.218 §1; 1959 c.363 §6; 1961 c.603 §8; 1965 c.253 §53; 1965 c.428 §§11,12; 1973 c.66 §1; 1981 c.897 §54; 1983 c.22 §3; 1983 c.27 §1; 1997 c.206 §1]

477.069 Negligence in origin and in failure to control fire may be united in one complaint. Notwithstanding any other law, in any action authorized by ORS 477.068 to collect the costs incurred, the plaintiff may unite in the same complaint causes of action based upon any or all of the grounds therein mentioned. [1957 c.157 §1; 1961 c.603 §9; 1965 c.253 §54]

477.070 [Formerly 477.040; 1955 c.218 §2; 1959 c.363 §7; 1961 c.603 §10; 1963 c.107 §4; repealed by 1965 c.253 §46 (477.056 enacted in lieu of 477.070)]

477.071 [Formerly 477.042; 1961 c.603 §11; 1965 c.253 §52; renumbered 477.067]

477.072 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.073 [Formerly 477.050; 1957 c.83 §8; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.074 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.076 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.078 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.080 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.082 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.085 Liability for cost of protecting land within a forest protection district. Any person who willfully or negligently sets a fire or causes a fire to be set for which efforts to control or extinguish the fire in order to protect forestland within a forest protection district from fire are exerted by the forester or any forest protective association or agency under contract or agreement with the State Board of Forestry is liable for the actual costs incurred by the forester, association or agency in such efforts. The costs shall be recovered from the person liable therefor in the same manner as costs recovered under ORS 477.068. [1965 c.428 §7; 1967 c.429 §2; 1997 c.274 §3a; 1999 c.355 §4]

477.090 Civil liability; damages. In addition to the penalties otherwise provided by law, the United States, state, political subdivision or private owners whose property is injured or destroyed by fires in violation of ORS 526.041 or this chapter may recover in a civil action double the amount of damages suffered if the fires occurred through willfulness, malice or negligence. Persons causing fires by violation of any of the provisions of the statutes enumerated in this section are liable in an appropriate action for the full amount of all expenses incurred in fighting such fires. [Formerly 477.310; 1971 c.743 §384; 1987 c.919 §18]

477.095 Applicability of ORS 477.068, 477.085 and 477.090. (1) An owner of forestland shall not be subject to the provisions of ORS 477.068 and 477.090, where the origin or subsequent spread of a fire was the direct result of training activity by the Oregon National Guard or of any component of the Armed Forces of the United States.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, the Oregon National Guard shall be subject to the duties, requirements or penalties of ORS 477.068, 477.085 and 477.090, where the origin or subsequent spread of a fire was the direct result of training activity by the Oregon National Guard. [1997 c.274 §36]

477.100 Ability of owner to suppress fire; limitation. (1) The State Forester, or any agency or organization with responsibility under this chapter to suppress fires, may not prohibit an owner or the owner’s agent from suppressing a fire occurring on the owner’s property or that poses a threat to the owner’s property.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, the forester, agency or organization may prohibit an owner or the owner’s agent from suppressing a fire if the owner or agent conducts the action in a manner that the forester, agency or organization reasonably determines is likely to increase the risk of injury or damage to the personnel or equipment of the forester, agency or organization. [2005 c.802 §4]

477.101 [1959 c.363 §19; 1965 c.253 §135; repealed by 1965 c.428 §§8,18]

477.102 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.104 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.106 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.108 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.110 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.112 [Repealed by 1953 c.372 §22]

477.120 Liability of owner or operator. (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the owner or operator of forestland is not subject to the obligations or penalties of ORS 164.335 and 477.740 or 477.064, 477.066 and 477.068 if:

(a) Forest patrol assessments are regularly paid for the forestland;

(b) Such forestland is protected pursuant to membership in a forest protective association in accordance with ORS 477.210, which association has undertaken the control and suppression of fires on such land as provided in the contract; or

(c) Such forestland is protected pursuant to cooperative agreement or contract under ORS 477.406.

(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section do not apply to such owner or operator if the owner or operator:

(a) Is willful, malicious or negligent in the origin or subsequent spread of a fire on such forestland;

(b) Has caused or permitted an operation to exist on such forestland and a fire originates thereon as a result of the operation;

(c) Has failed to give notice to the forester pursuant to ORS 527.670 (6), has failed to obtain a permit for the use of fire in any form or power-driven machinery pursuant to ORS 477.625 or has failed within the time prescribed in any order or notice issued by the forester to reduce, abate, or offset any hazard determined to exist pursuant to ORS 477.062 or 477.580 and a fire originates on or spreads to the area on which such hazard exists and for which no release has been granted pursuant to ORS 477.580 (3) or (4); or

(d) Has caused or allowed any burning, including burning regulated by ORS 477.013 or 477.515, whether or not a permit has been obtained and a fire results from or is caused by such burning.

(3) Unless subsection (2)(a) or (c) of this section applies, the owner or operator shall not be obligated to pay that portion of the actual costs provided in ORS 477.068 which are the ordinary costs of the regular personnel and equipment of the forest protection district wherein the forestland is located.

(4) If subsection (2)(b) or (d) of this section applies and subsection (2)(a) and (c) of this section do not apply, the owner or operator shall not be liable to the forester for fire suppression costs in excess of $300,000.

(5) The provisions of subsections (3) and (4) of this section do not apply to the owner or operator if the owner or operator fails to make every reasonable effort.

(6) For the purpose of subsection (2)(b) of this section, if a fire originates while an operation is in progress, there is a presumption, under ORS 40.120, that the fire originated as a result of the operation. [Formerly 477.056; 1971 c.743 §385; 1973 c.46 §2; 1983 c.22 §4; 1989 c.615 §1; 1997 c.274 §48; 2007 c.847 §2]

477.125 Liability of forest protective associations, rangeland protection associations and public bodies; limitations. (1) A forest protective association, rangeland protection association organized under ORS 477.317 or public body as defined in ORS 174.109, or a person acting as an agent of a forest protective association, rangeland protection association or public body, is not liable for any injury to persons or property resulting from carrying out the provisions of this chapter or while acting within the scope of a duty imposed by this chapter.

(2) The exemption from liability provided by subsection (1) of this section does not apply to any injury to persons or property resulting from willful misconduct or gross negligence.

(3) An employee of a forest protective association, or a person acting as an agent of a forest protective association, is an agent of a public body acting within the scope of their duties for purposes of ORS 30.260 to 30.300, if the person:

(a) Engages in fire fighting activities occurring on lands located outside of the forest protection district in which the association is located; and

(b) Acts under the direction and control of the forester. [2003 c.54 §2; 2005 c.105 §1; 2007 c.808 §4]

477.128 Expenditures for criminal defense related to fire suppression activities. (1) As used in this section, “firefighter” means an employee of the State Forestry Department or of a forest protective association, as defined in ORS 477.001, whose duties include the abatement of uncontrolled fire as described in ORS 477.064.

(2) The State Forester may authorize the expenditure of funds from the State Forestry Department revolving account to pay costs and reasonable attorney fees that a firefighter who is charged with a misdemeanor or felony incurs to defend against that charge if the State Forester determines that:

(a) The firefighter was performing fire suppression activities under the direction and control of the State Forester or an authorized representative of the State Forester at the time of the alleged misdemeanor or felony;

(b) The alleged actions underlying the charge, if true, are directly related to the firefighter’s performance of fire suppression activities on forestlands; and

(c) The fire suppression actions of the firefighter were within the range of reasonable fire suppression actions.

(3) This section does not confer any right on a firefighter to hearing or appeal regarding determinations made by the State Forester under subsection (2) of this section.

(4) This section does not authorize the expenditure of moneys to pay costs or attorney fees incurred on appeal or in seeking post-conviction relief. [2011 c.218 §1]

Note: 477.128 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 477 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

477.130 [Formerly 477.058; 1971 c.743 §386; 1973 c.46 §3; 1997 c.274 §3b; repealed by 1999 c.355 §17]

477.132 [Repealed by 1953 c.375 §38]

477.133 [1953 c.375 §31; 1957 c.309 §10; 1965 c.253 §79; renumbered 477.420]

477.134 [Repealed by 1953 c.375 §38]

477.135 [1953 c.375 §32; 1957 c.309 §11; 1965 c.253 §80; renumbered 477.425]

477.136 [Repealed by 1953 c.375 §38]

477.142 [1963 c.454 §2; 1965 c.253 §73; renumbered 477.315]

477.144 [1963 c.454 §3; 1965 c.253 §74; renumbered 477.320]

477.146 [1963 c.454 §4; 1965 c.253 §75; renumbered 477.325]

477.148 [1963 c.454 §5; repealed by 1965 c.253 §48 (477.058 enacted in lieu of 477.148)]

477.152 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1955 c.450 §1; 1959 c.363 §8; 1961 c.603 §12; 1963 c.107 §5; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.154 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1963 c.107 §6; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.156 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1965 c.253 §99; renumbered 477.535]

477.158 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1957 c.32 §2; 1959 c.363 §9; 1965 c.253 §101; renumbered 477.545]

477.160 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1965 c.253 §100; renumbered 477.540]

477.162 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §102; renumbered 477.550]

477.164 [Amended by 1953 c.302 §2; renumbered 476.715]

477.165 [1953 c.68 §14; 1965 c.253 §94; renumbered 477.510]

NORTHWEST WILDLAND FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENT

477.175 Definition of “all possible aid” for agreement. As used in the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement as set forth in ORS 477.200, “all possible aid” means the assistance that a member can provide in response to a request for aid without materially diminishing the overall fire prevention or protection capabilities of the member at the time of the request and for the duration of the response to provide assistance. [1999 c.258 §3]

Note: 477.175 to 477.200 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 477 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

477.180 Ratification of amendment to agreement; withdrawal if Legislative Assembly fails to ratify amendment. If the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement is amended in accordance with Article IX of the agreement, the Governor shall invoke Article X of the agreement to withdraw from the agreement until such time as the Legislative Assembly ratifies the amendment, or during the interim between legislative sessions, until such time as the State Forester submits the amendment to the Emergency Board for review. The State Forester shall submit any amendment reviewed by the Emergency Board to the next Legislative Assembly for ratification. If the Legislative Assembly does not ratify the amendment prior to adjournment sine die, the Governor shall immediately invoke Article X of the agreement to withdraw from the agreement. [1999 c.258 §4]

Note: See note under 477.175.

477.182 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §111; renumbered 477.645]

477.184 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1955 c.158 §2; 1965 c.253 §112; renumbered 477.650]

477.185 Use of local fire protection resources. The Governor shall make reasonable efforts to use local available fire protection resources within Oregon before calling on forces from other members of the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement. [1999 c.258 §5]

Note: See note under 477.175.

477.186 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1955 c.158 §3; 1957 c.32 §3; 1965 c.253 §113; renumbered 477.655]

477.187 [1953 c.68 §8; 1955 c.158 §4; 1965 c.253 §114; renumbered 477.660]

477.188 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1955 c.158 §5; 1965 c.253 §115; 1965 c.428 §§13,14; renumbered 477.665]

477.190 Authority of Governor to carry out agreement. The Governor may take any action necessary to carry out the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement as set forth in ORS 477.200. The Governor may delegate the authority granted under this section or ORS 477.180 and 477.185 to the State Forester. [1999 c.258 §6]

Note: See note under 477.175.

477.195 Ratification of Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement. (1) The Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon hereby ratifies the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement set forth in ORS 477.200, and the provisions of such agreement hereby are declared to be the law of this state upon such agreement becoming effective as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) This agreement shall become effective when it has been ratified by one or more of the states eligible to be parties to this agreement and has been consented to by the Congress of the United States as required by section 10, Article I of the Constitution of the United States. [1999 c.258 §1]

Note: See note under 477.175.

477.200 Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement. The provisions of the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement are as follows:

______________________________________________________________________________

ARTICLE I

The purpose of this agreement is to promote effective prevention, presuppression and control of forest fires in the northwest wildland region of the United States and adjacent areas of Canada by providing mutual aid in prevention, presuppression and control of wildland fires and by establishing procedures in operating plans that will facilitate such aid.

ARTICLE II

(1) This agreement shall become effective for those members ratifying it whenever any two or more members, the States of Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, the Yukon Territory, the Province of British Columbia or the Province of Alberta have ratified it, and when consented to by an Act of Congress of the United States.

(2) Any state, province or territory not listed in this Article which is contiguous to any member may become a party to this agreement subject to unanimous approval of the members.

ARTICLE III

(1) The role of the members is to determine from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be found for enhancing the prevention, presuppression and control of forest fires in the area comprising the members’ territory, to coordinate the plans and the work of the appropriate agencies of the members and to coordinate the rendering of aid by the members to each other in fighting wildland fires.

(2) The members may develop cooperative operating plans for the program covered by this agreement. Operating plans shall include definition of terms, fiscal procedures, personnel contracts, resources available and standards applicable to the program. Other sections may be added as necessary.

ARTICLE IV

A majority of members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its general business. Motions of members present shall be carried by a simple majority, except as stated in Article II. Each member shall have one vote on motions brought before the members.

ARTICLE V

Whenever a member requests aid from any other member in controlling or preventing wildland fires, the member agrees, to the extent the member possibly can, to render all possible aid.

ARTICLE VI

(1) Whenever the forces of any member are aiding another member under this agreement, the employees of such members shall operate under the direction of the officers of the member to whom they are rendering aid and be considered agents of the member they are rendering aid to and, therefore, have the same privileges and immunities as comparable employees of the member to whom they are rendering aid.

(2) No member or its officers or employees rendering aid within another state, territory or province pursuant to this agreement shall be liable on account of any act or omission on the part of such forces while so engaged or on account of maintenance or use of any equipment or supplies in connection therewith to the extent authorized by the laws of the member receiving the assistance. The receiving member, to the extent authorized by the laws of the state, territory or province, agrees to indemnify and save harmless the assisting member from any such liability.

(3) Any member rendering outside aid pursuant to this agreement shall be reimbursed by the member receiving such aid for any loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of, any equipment and for the cost of all materials, transportation, wages, salaries and maintenance of personnel and equipment incurred in connection with such request in accordance with the provisions of Article V of this agreement. Nothing contained herein shall prevent any assisting member from assuming such loss, damage, expense or other cost from lending such equipment or from donating such services to the receiving member without charge or cost.

(4) For purposes of this agreement, personnel shall be considered employees of each sending member for the payment of compensation to injured employees and death benefits to the representatives of deceased employees injured or killed while rendering aid to another member pursuant to this agreement.

(5) The members shall formulate procedures for claims and reimbursement under the provisions of this Article.

ARTICLE VII

(1) When appropriations for support of this agreement or for the support of common services in executing this agreement are needed, costs will be allocated equally among the members.

(2) As necessary, members shall keep accurate books of account, showing in full the members’ receipts and disbursements, and the books of account shall be open at any reasonable time to the inspection of representatives of the members.

(3) The members may accept any and all donations, gifts and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services from the federal or any local government or any agency thereof and from any person, firm or corporation for any of its purposes and functions under this agreement and may receive and use the same subject to the terms, conditions and regulations governing such donations, gifts and grants.

ARTICLE VIII

(1) Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to limit or restrict the powers of any member to provide for the prevention, control and extinguishment of wildland fires or to prohibit the enactment or enforcement of state, territorial or provincial laws, rules or regulations intended to aid in such prevention, control and extinguishment of wildland fires in such state, territory or province.

(2) Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to affect any existing or future cooperative agreement between members or their respective federal agencies.

ARTICLE IX

(1) The members may request the United States Forest Service to act as the coordinating agency of the Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement in cooperation with the appropriate agencies of each member.

(2) The members will hold an annual meeting to review the terms of this agreement and any applicable operating plans and make necessary modifications.

(3) Amendments to this agreement can be made by simple majority vote of the members and will take effect immediately upon passage.

ARTICLE X

This agreement shall continue in force on each member until such member takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until 60 days after notice thereof has been sent to all other members.

ARTICLE XI

Nothing in this agreement shall obligate the funds of any member beyond those approved by appropriate legislative action.

______________________________________________________________________________ [1999 c.258 §2; 2003 c.14 §313]

Note: See note under 477.175.

FOREST PROTECTION DISTRICTS

477.205 Definitions for ORS 477.205 to 477.281. As used in ORS 477.205 to 477.281, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) “Grazing land” means forestland, within a forest protection district, that has been classified as Class 3, agricultural class, as provided by ORS 526.305 to 526.370.

(2) “Timberland” means forestland, within a forest protection district, that has not been classified as Class 3, agricultural class, under ORS 526.305 to 526.370. [1965 c.253 §56]

477.210 Duty of owner to protect forestland; forester’s duty to provide protection upon noncompliance. (1) During the season of the year when there is danger of fire, every owner of forestland shall provide adequate protection against the starting or spread of fire thereon or therefrom, which protection shall meet with the approval of the State Board of Forestry.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section is considered to have been complied with if, on January 1 of each year, the owner:

(a) Files with the forester a bona fide forest protection plan that meets with the approval of the board; or

(b) Is a member in good standing in a forest protective association maintaining a standard of protection approved by the board.

(3) The forester shall make periodic inspections of the protection facilities provided in order to ascertain compliance by the owner.

(4) In case any owner of forestland shall fail or neglect to file such a fire plan or maintain the standard of protection approved by the board, either through compliance with the fire plan or membership in an approved association, then the forester under the direction of the board shall provide forest protection pursuant to ORS 477.205 to 477.281.

(5) The forester shall provide protection pursuant to ORS 477.205 to 477.281 for forestland owned by the state or by a political subdivision located within a forest protection district, unless adequate protection as required by this section is otherwise provided. [Formerly 477.024; 2003 c.14 §314]

477.212 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1965 c.253 §104; renumbered 477.615]

477.214 [Repealed by 1953 c.68 §19]

477.215 [1953 c.68 §16; 1965 c.253 §105; renumbered 477.620]

477.216 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; repealed by 1957 c.32 §4 (477.217 enacted in lieu of 477.216)]

477.217 [1957 c.32 §5 (enacted in lieu of 477.216); 1959 c.363 §10; 1965 c.253 §117; renumbered 477.565]

477.218 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1965 c.253 §103; renumbered 477.605]

477.220 Lands not provided protection; lands not included within ORS 477.205 to 477.281. (1) The forester is not required to provide protection for forestland that is either a small parcel or a tract isolated from a forest protection district and which land is found by the forester as not practicable to be included in a forest patrol system.

(2) ORS 477.205 to 477.281 do not apply to federal grazing land or federal timberland within this state for which adequate protection is provided unless the lands have been included within the boundaries of a forest protection district pursuant to a cooperative agreement with the federal government approved by the State Board of Forestry.

(3) Upon written request of the owner of lands that have been incorporated within a rural fire protection district, the forester shall determine whether the lands, or any part thereof, are forestland. Thereafter, those lands that have been so determined shall be included within ORS 477.205 to 477.281 unless excluded pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. [Formerly 477.053; 2005 c.22 §358]

477.225 Establishment and change of forest protection districts; rules. The State Forester, by rule, shall designate areas of forestland within this state as forest protection districts within which the forester is required to provide protection pursuant to this chapter. In establishing new boundaries or changes in boundaries of the districts, the State Forester may, for the purposes of administrative convenience, designate mountain ranges, rivers, streams, roads or other recognizable landmarks as boundaries. Boundaries may be established or changed only after a public hearing. [Formerly 477.026; 1997 c.274 §4]

477.230 Basis for computing cost of protection provided by forester; costs to be in accordance with budget. (1) The annual cost of protection provided by the forester for forestland within a forest protection district shall be as follows:

(a) Grazing land within the district shall be protected by the forester at a pro rata cost per acre for all grazing land within the district boundary. However, forest patrol assessments levied and assessed under ORS 477.270 against such lands that are not owned by public agencies may not exceed one-half of the pro rata cost per acre, exclusive of any assessment per acre under ORS 477.880.

(b) Timberland within the district shall be protected by the forester at a pro rata cost per acre for all timberland within the district boundary. However, forest patrol assessments levied and assessed under ORS 477.270 against such lands that are not owned by public agencies may not exceed one-half of the pro rata cost per acre, exclusive of any assessment per acre under ORS 477.880.

(2) The cost of protection described in this section shall be in accordance with a budget for the district approved by the State Board of Forestry. [Formerly 477.030; 1971 c.60 §1; 1973 c.184 §6; 1977 c.892 §48; 1983 c.16 §1; 1985 c.759 §32a; 1989 c.769 §10; 1997 c.274 §5; 2005 c.22 §359]

477.232 Costs in excess of budget; amounts not expended. Subject to the forest patrol assessment limitations set forth in ORS 477.230:

(1) Actual costs incurred by the forester in the prevention and suppression of fire on grazing land or timberland located within a forest protection district, in excess of the amount budgeted as required by ORS 477.230, but not including those costs eligible for equalization by the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund, shall be, without regard to proceedings for the collection of the costs:

(a) Included in the budget for the next fiscal year; and

(b) Levied and assessed against the grazing land or timberland in the district.

(2) Budgeted amounts not expended may be carried forward as a credit to the assessment rate for the ensuing year. [2005 c.802 §6]

Note: 477.232 was added to and made a part of 477.205 to 477.281 by legislative action but was not added to any other series. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

477.235 Forester to prepare tentative budget estimates for districts. The forester shall prepare tentative budget estimates for each forest protection district for the ensuing fiscal year beginning July 1, in a manner consistent with accounting and budgetary procedures prescribed by the State Board of Forestry. [Formerly 477.041; 1967 c.429 §3]

477.240 Advisory and guidance committees. In any forest protection district wherein the forester has entered into a cooperative agreement or contract with a forest protective association or agency described in ORS 477.406 (1), and the association or agency has appointed an advisory and guidance committee for the purposes of analysis and review of the protection plans and budgets for the district, the forester shall prepare the protection plans and budgets in conjunction with the committee. [1965 c.253 §63]

477.242 [Amended by 1959 c.363 §11; 1965 c.253 §118; renumbered 477.570]

477.244 [Amended by 1953 c.68 §19; 1961 c.123 §2; 1961 c.603 §13; 1965 c.253 §119; 1965 c.428 §§15,16; renumbered 477.575]

477.245 Owners entitled to be heard on budget matters; public budget meetings to be held in district. (1) All owners of lands assessed under ORS 477.205 to 477.281 shall have an opportunity to be heard on matters pertaining to the budgeting of moneys required to defray the cost of protection in each forest protection district. The forester, under the direction of the State Board of Forestry, shall provide for the holding of a public budget meeting in each district on or before May 1 of each year. The meeting shall be held at any convenient place designated by the forester.

(2) In forest protection districts wherein the board has entered into cooperative agreements or contracts with forest protective agencies, the board may make provision for the holding of the public budget meeting required in subsection (1) of this section on the same date and at the same place as a regular meeting of the agency. [Formerly 477.043]

477.246 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §122; renumbered 477.685]

477.248 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §123; renumbered 477.690]

477.250 Notice of budget meeting; notice of proposed assessment. (1) Not more than four weeks preceding each budget meeting, the forester shall cause notice of such meeting to be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in one or more newspapers published in or having general circulation in each of the counties in the forest protection district and in such other media of communication as the forester finds advisable. However, the final publication shall be made at least one week prior to the date of the meeting. The notice shall state the time and place where the tentative budget for the district may be inspected and shall state the time and place of the meeting.

(2) Whenever the forester determines that any privately owned land should be subject to assessment for forest protection and such land was not subject to the assessment during the preceding year, the forester shall give written notice by mail of the determination to each owner of such land not later than March 1 of the year the assessment is to be made. The notice shall inform the owner of the acreage and tax lot number of the lands to be assessed and the name and address of the nearest representative of the forester the owner may contact if review of the proposed assessment is desired. The notice shall also inform the owner of the procedure for hearing and appeals prescribed in ORS 477.205 to 477.281. [Formerly 477.045; 1979 c.276 §1; 1999 c.355 §5]

477.255 Holding of budget meeting; revision and submission of budget for final approval. (1) The public budget meeting shall be held at the time and place as stated in the published notice, or at such other time and place to which the meeting may be adjourned.

(2) A member of the State Board of Forestry, or the forester, shall act as chairperson of the meeting. The forester shall cause the minutes of the meeting to be preserved as a public record.

(3) During the meeting the chairperson shall receive from any interested persons suggestions, advice, objections or remonstrances as to the proposed budget for that forest protection district. The forester, under the direction of the board, may make changes in the budget proper and consistent with law, and thereafter submit the budget for final approval under ORS 477.265. [Formerly 477.047]

477.260 Appeal to board. (1) Any owner of grazing land or timberland within the boundary of the forest protection district who is adversely affected by the proposed budget may file an appeal within 30 days after the date of the public budget meeting.

(2) Any owner of grazing land or timberland subject to ORS 477.205 to 477.281 shall, upon request, be granted a hearing by the State Board of Forestry on any subject pertaining to the activities of the forester or board affecting the land.

(3) Appeals and hearings shall be conducted by the board in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to ORS 526.016 (4). [Formerly 477.049; 1997 c.274 §6; 1999 c.355 §6]

477.265 Board to deal with budgets annually. The State Board of Forestry shall annually review the forest protection district budgets, make any changes in the budgets that are proper and consistent with law, and pass final approval on all district budgets and the prorated acreage rates therein. [Formerly 477.051; 1999 c.355 §7]

477.270 Budgeted cost of forester to be lien; collection; deposit of amounts collected. (1) Subject to the forest patrol assessment limitations set forth in ORS 477.230:

(a) The budgeted cost of the forester, as provided for in ORS 477.205 to 477.281, in providing protection for privately owned forestland shall be a lien upon such property, shall be reported by the forester to the governing body of the county in which the lands are situated on or after July 1 of each fiscal year, and shall be levied and collected by the governing body with the next taxes on the land in the same manner and with the same interest, penalty and cost charges as apply to ad valorem property taxes in this state. The governing body shall instruct the proper officer to extend the amounts on the assessment roll in a separate account, and the procedure provided by law for the collection of taxes and delinquent taxes shall apply. Upon collection thereof, the governing body shall repay the entire amount collected to the forester.

(b) In lieu of the procedures under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the forester, under the direction of the State Board of Forestry, may make direct billing of the budgeted cost to owners of forestland and receive payment of the cost therefrom. In the event that under such billing procedures any owners fail to make payment, the unpaid budgeted cost shall become a lien against the property so billed and shall be levied and collected with the next taxes on such property as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(c) The budgeted cost of the forester in providing protection for forestland owned by the state or by a political subdivision shall be paid to the forester on or before the first day of January of the fiscal year for which such protection is to be provided.

(2) Except as provided in ORS 477.230 (2), all moneys received by the forester pursuant to this section shall be paid into the State Treasury, credited to the State Forestry Department Account and used exclusively for the purposes of ORS 477.205 to 477.281. [Formerly 477.033; 1983 c.16 §2; 1999 c.355 §8]

477.272 [Repealed by 1953 c.152 §10]

477.274 [Repealed by 1953 c.152 §10]

477.275 [1981 c.321 §14; 1983 c.109 §1; repealed by 1989 c.769 §6]

477.276 [Repealed by 1953 c.152 §10]

477.277 Additional assessment to maintain unencumbered balance of Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund. (1) In addition to any other assessment prescribed by ORS 477.205 to 477.281, in any fiscal year in which the Emergency Fire Cost Committee determines pursuant to ORS 477.760 that the unencumbered balance of the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund is less than $22.5 million, a surcharge shall be levied and assessed in the amount of $47.50 for each improved lot or parcel, except as provided in ORS 477.760, to defray the increased cost of fire suppression on forestland that is caused by the existence of the improvements.

(2) All surcharge moneys collected pursuant to this section shall be paid into the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund.

(3) If an owner of forestland files a forest protection plan with the forester which is approved by the State Board of Forestry under ORS 477.210 (2), the owner shall not be required to pay the surcharge levied under subsection (1) of this section.

(4) Contiguous lots included in a combined lot that is described in ORS 477.295 (3)(a) and whose owner has made application to the forester under ORS 477.295 (4) are considered one lot for purposes of subsection (1) of this section.

(5) As used in this section, a lot or parcel is “improved” if it is indicated as improved in the county assessor’s property classification files or if a manufactured dwelling is sited on the lot or parcel. [1989 c.769 §3; 1991 c.639 §2; 1993 c.430 §1; 2003 c.685 §§1,6; 2005 c.802 §7; 2007 c.779 §2]

477.278 [Repealed by 1953 c.152 §10]

477.280 [Repealed by 1953 c.152 §10]

477.281 Limitation on obligation of landowner for fire protection. (1) The obligation of an owner of timberland or grazing land for payment of assessments and taxes for fire protection of forestland is limited to:

(a) The payment of moneys pursuant to ORS 321.015 (2), 477.277, 477.295, 477.760 (4) and 477.880 to maintain the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund; and

(b) The payment of forest protection district assessments pursuant to ORS 477.060 and 477.205 to 477.281.

(2) As used in this section, “obligation of an owner of timberland or grazing land for payment of assessments and taxes for fire protection of forestland” does not include the duties or obligations of the owner under ORS 477.066, 477.068 or 477.120 or the obligations of an owner of land included in a rural fire protection district pursuant to ORS 478.010. [1989 c.769 §9; 1991 c.639 §3; 1997 c.206 §2; 1999 c.59 §157; 2003 c.685 §§2,7; 2005 c.802 §8; 2009 c.69 §1]

477.282 [1953 c.152 §2; 1965 c.253 §116; renumbered 477.670]

477.284 [1953 c.152 §3; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.285 [Formerly 477.035; repealed by 1989 c.769 §6]

477.286 [1953 c.152 §4; 1965 c.253 §106; renumbered 477.625]

477.288 [1953 c.152 §5; 1965 c.253 §109; renumbered 477.635]

477.290 [1961 c.603 §14; 1965 c.253 §110; renumbered 477.640]

477.291 [Formerly 477.039; repealed by 1999 c.355 §17]

477.295 Minimum assessment under ORS 477.270; combining lots; fees; rules. (1) For purposes of making the levy and assessment of costs against forestland under ORS 477.270, the minimum cost to provide fire protection or suppression for any lot or parcel of real property separately assessed for ad valorem taxes or other taxes provided by law in lieu thereof, on the current assessment roll shall be not less than $18.75, except as provided in ORS 477.760. Three dollars and seventy-five cents of each minimum assessment shall be paid into the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund. Otherwise, such assessments shall be determined under ORS 477.230 and 477.270.

(2) In any fiscal year in which the Emergency Fire Cost Committee determines pursuant to ORS 477.760 that the unencumbered balance of the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund has:

(a) Increased to an amount:

(A) More than $22.5 million but less than or equal to $30 million, the minimum assessment referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be $16.88 for each lot or parcel. Of that amount, $1.88 of each minimum assessment shall be paid into the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund.

(B) More than $30 million, the minimum assessment referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be $15 for each lot or parcel. This amount shall be treated in the same manner as assessments under ORS 477.230 and 477.270.

(b) Decreased to an amount that is at or below $22.5 million, the minimum assessment referred to in subsection (1) of this section shall be $18.75 for each lot or parcel. This amount shall be treated in the same manner as assessments under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Upon application to the forester under subsection (4) of this section, contiguous lots held under identical ownership shall be considered as one combined lot for purposes of subsection (1) of this section. However, the following may not be included in a combined lot:

(a) Except as provided in this paragraph, a lot on which a structure has been placed or improvements made for the purpose of erecting any temporary or permanent structure. One lot on which a single-family dwelling has been placed, and lots on which the structures and improvements that are appurtenant to that single-family dwelling have been placed, may be included in a combined lot that does not exceed 20 acres.

(b) A lot that is in a subdivision containing lots that have been or are being offered for sale.

(c) A lot that is not designated forest or agricultural land for the purpose of land use or special tax assessment purposes.

(4) To qualify under subsection (3) of this section, an owner of forestland shall make application to the forester no later than April 15 of the fiscal year preceding each fiscal year for which the owner desires the land to be assessed under subsection (3) of this section. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the State Forester. A fee of $25 per combined lot shall be paid to the forester at the time of first application for the combined lot. An additional fee of $25 per combined lot shall be paid to the forester at the time of subsequent application, if an application for the combined lot was not made for the previous fiscal year.

(5) The State Board of Forestry may adopt rules for the administration of the provisions of subsections (3) and (4) of this section.

(6) For the purposes of this section, “lot” and “subdivision” have the meanings given those terms in ORS 92.010. [1965 c.428 §6; 1969 c.204 §1; 1977 c.153 §1; 1977 c.892 §49; 1981 c.321 §13; 1983 c.108 §1; 1989 c.769 §7; 1991 c.623 §1; 1991 c.639 §4; 1997 c.274 §7; 1999 c.355 §9; 2003 c.685 §§3,8; 2005 c.802 §§9,10; 2007 c.779 §3]

477.300 Use of funds in State Forestry Department Account for capital outlay expenditures of district. (1) Moneys available at any time in the State Forestry Department Account for the purposes of this chapter, particularly ORS 477.205 to 477.281, which moneys are not specifically obligated for other purposes, may be used by the forester with the approval of the State Board of Forestry for capital outlay expenditures in any forest protection district. Prior to the making of such capital outlay expenditures, the forester and board may specify that the account shall be reimbursed for all or a part of such expenditures, over a period not to exceed 10 years, from any one or a combination of the following sources:

(a) Forest patrol assessments of the district involved.

(b) Moneys derived from an association under ORS 477.406.

(c) Moneys derived from municipal, county, state or federal agencies under this chapter, for the protection of their forestland from fire.

(2) Any reimbursement of capital outlay expenditures required by the forester and board under subsection (1) of this section shall be a pro rata amount from the source or sources involved, based upon forestland acreage being protected in the district for which the expenditures are made. [Formerly 477.016]

477.302 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §126; renumbered 477.705]

477.304 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §127; renumbered 477.710]

477.305 Forester to enforce prohibition against littering on forestland in districts. The forester is authorized to enforce the provisions of ORS 164.805 insofar as such affects forestland within forest protection districts established under this chapter. [1965 c.428 §2; 1971 c.743 §387]

477.306 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §132; renumbered 477.730]

477.308 [Amended by 1965 c.253 §133; renumbered 477.735]

477.310 [Amended by 1959 c.363 §12; 1965 c.253 §134; renumbered 477.090]

477.312 [Amended by 1959 c.363 §13; repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

477.314 [Repealed by 1965 c.253 §153]

RANGELAND

477.315 Definition for ORS 477.315 to 477.325. As used in ORS 477.315 to 477.325, “rangeland” means any land:

(1) That is located in that part of the state lying easterly of the summit of the Cascade Mountains;

(2) That has not been classified as Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 forestland under ORS 526.305 to 526.370; and

(3) That contains isolated tracts of forestland not so classified or not within a forest protection district, or that is primarily rangeland, undeveloped land or undeveloped area containing sagebrush, juniper and similar growths. [Formerly 477.142; 2003 c.14 §315]

477.317 Rangeland protection associations; organization; assistance from forester. (1) Any group of owners of rangeland that is within a rangeland protection system established under ORS 477.320, and that lies wholly outside any forest protection district, may organize a rangeland protection association for the purpose of protecting the rangeland from fire. The forester may enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with a rangeland protection association under the provisions of ORS 477.320 for the purpose of providing the assistance specified in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The forester may assist a rangeland protection association with organizing the association, training association members and acquiring firefighting equipment for the association. The forester may also assist a rangeland protection association with payment for liability insurance and other administrative expenses of the association, which may not exceed 50 percent of the total of budgeted operating costs and the cash equivalent of in-kind supplies and services of the association in any fiscal year. The costs of assistance specified in this subsection may not be paid from funds assessed from forestland owners under ORS 477.230. [2007 c.808 §2]

477.320 Request of rangeland owners for protection; hearings; determination; cooperative agreements for protection. (1) Owners of rangeland may request the State Board of Forestry to hold a hearing on the subject of providing protection from fire for rangeland. Upon receipt of such request, the board or its authorized representative shall hold one or more public hearings in order to receive from interested persons information relating to the providing of such protection, and shall cause public notice of the time and place of each hearing to be given. The board or its authorized representatives shall keep the records of the proceedings of such hearings as public records.

(2) After the hearing referred to in subsection (1) of this section, the board shall determine whether the rangeland should be included within a protection system. If the board determines that rangeland should be included in a rangeland protection system, the board, in cooperation with interested persons, shall establish the extent and type of protection to be provided and direct the forester or a rangeland protection association organized under ORS 477.317 to provide the protection. Such protection shall be commensurate with the values and uses of the rangeland to be protected.

(3) After proceedings under subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the forester or a rangeland protection association organized under ORS 477.317 shall provide the type and extent of protection determined under subsection (2) of this section for rangeland determined to be included within a protection system under subsection (2) of this section. For the purpose of providing such protection, the forester and a rangeland protection association may enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with each other or, jointly or separately, with owners of rangeland, individuals, associations, corporations, road districts, rural fire protection districts or agencies of the federal government. [Formerly 477.144; 1999 c.355 §10; 2007 c.808 §5]

477.325 Budget for rangeland protection; collection of costs; disposition of receipts. (1) Before June 1 each year, the owners of rangeland to be protected under ORS 477.320, including all rangeland protection associations organized under ORS 477.317, shall prepare in cooperation with the State Board of Forestry or its authorized representative, and submit to the board, a proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning on the next succeeding July 1. The budget shall include the proposed cost of such protection. At the meeting of the board under ORS 477.265, the board shall review the budget, make any changes therein that are proper and consistent with law, and pass final approval thereon.

(2) The cost of protection of rangeland under ORS 477.317 and 477.320 shall be in accordance with the budget approved under subsection (1) of this section. The cost shall be collected pursuant to the cooperative agreement or contract entered into between the forester and the owners of the rangeland under ORS 477.320. All moneys received by the board pursuant to this subsection shall be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the State Forestry Department Account and shall be used exclusively for the purposes of ORS 477.315 to 477.325. [Formerly 477.146; 1999 c.355 §11; 2007 c.808 §3]

FIRE WARDENS

477.355 Fire wardens generally. (1) The State Forester shall appoint one or more district fire wardens for each forest protection district.

(2) The State Forester shall appoint such additional fire wardens as are needed to enforce this chapter. [1965 c.253 §86; 1997 c.274 §8]

477.360 Duties of fire warden for forest protection district. The district fire warden, under the direction of the State Forester, has charge of the fire prevention and suppression system in the forest protection district of the warden and such other duties as are required by law and the rules of the State Board of Forestry. Any other wardens serving in the district are subject to the direction of the district fire warden. [Formerly 477.008; 1999 c.355 §12]

477.365 Duties and powers of wardens. (1) Under instructions from the forester as to their exercise of state authority, all wardens shall:

(a) Take proper steps for the prevention and extinguishment of fires within the localities in which they exercise their functions.

(b) Control the use of fire for clearing land during fire season, as provided by ORS 477.505 to 477.520.

(c) Make such reports of their work and conditions within their localities as may be requested by the forester.

(d) Have the power of peace officers to make arrests or issue citations pursuant to ORS 477.985 for violation of this chapter or rules or orders adopted pursuant thereto.

(e) Enter upon the lands of any owner only in the discharge of their fire prevention and suppression duties, provided that in so entering they exercise due care to avoid doing damage.

(f) Investigate the causes of fires and may secure a fire origin area, at any time, for the purpose of preserving evidence and conducting an investigation pertinent to this chapter and control, restrict or prohibit access by any unauthorized person so long as is reasonably necessary in the judgment of the warden.

(g) Make a written determination, on a form prescribed by the State Forester, of the personnel and equipment reasonably available to an owner or operator who is required to make every reasonable effort pursuant to ORS 477.120 (5) and revise such determination as frequently as is necessary in the judgment of the warden.

(h) Make a written determination, on a form prescribed by the State Forester, of the use of any power-driven machinery in any operation pursuant to ORS 477.670 and revise such determination as frequently as is necessary in the judgment of the warden.

(2) The forester, or any warden coming under the jurisdiction of the forester, may administer oaths in investigations of violations of this chapter and the preparation of reports thereon. [Formerly 477.012; 1971 c.743 §388; 1993 c.697 §4; 1997 c.274 §9; 2003 c.14 §316]

477.370 [Formerly 477.014; 1987 c.158 §104; repealed by 1997 c.274 §55]

477.375 [1965 c.253 §91; repealed by 1997 c.274 §55]

COOPERATIVE CONTRACTS

OR AGREEMENTS

477.405 [1965 c.253 §77; repealed by 1967 c.429 §23 (477.406 enacted in lieu of 477.405)]

477.406 Cooperative contracts or agreements for forest protection or forest related activities; negotiation. (1) The forester and a forest protective association may enter into a contract or agreement with each other or, jointly or separately, with a federal or state agency, political subdivision, corporation, responsible organization or responsible landowner or group of landowners for the prevention and suppression of fire on forestland or on land other than forestland, or both, to prevent and suppress fire.

(2) Contracts and agreements under subsection (1) of this section, and all renewals and revisions thereof, must be negotiated in accordance with procedures specified by rules of the State Board of Forestry.

(3) The forester and a forest protective association may enter into a contract or agreement for the accomplishment of forestry related activities.

(4) Contracts and agreements between the forester and a forest protective association under subsections (1) and (2) of this section may include the purchase from the forester of supplies and equipment needed to provide and support fire protection services. [1967 c.429 §24 (enacted in lieu of 477.405); 1969 c.204 §2; 1993 c.415 §1; 1999 c.355 §13]

477.408 Provisions of contract or agreement. Contracts or agreements under ORS 477.406 may provide, among other things, for any or all of the parties to do any one or more of the following:

(1) Exchange services on a cooperative basis.

(2) Provide services, supplies and equipment in return for cash payment or other compensation.

(3) Loan or lease equipment.

(4) Subcontract obligations. [1967 c.429 §26; 1993 c.415 §2]

477.410 Liability of parties; responsibility for equipment; unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation; sovereign immunity. (1) Unless otherwise provided in a contract or agreement, and except as provided in subsection (2) of this section:

(a) A party to a contract or agreement under ORS 477.406, who is performing services for the benefit of another party, is not liable for injury or damages to persons or property inflicted by the actions of such other party.

(b) If equipment is loaned or leased pursuant to a contract or agreement under ORS 477.406, the party to have primary use of the equipment under the contract or agreement is responsible for any and all damages or loss to such equipment or for insuring the equipment against loss or damage in a manner acceptable to the party owning the equipment.

(c) If the services of personnel are involved pursuant to a contract or agreement under ORS 477.406, the party to have primary control over such personnel under the contract or agreement shall provide such unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation coverage as may be required by law.

(2) Nothing in ORS 477.406 to 477.412 or in any contract or agreement under ORS 477.406 constitutes a waiver by the State of Oregon of its immunity from suit under section 24, Article IV of the Oregon Constitution, in addition to any waiver otherwise provided by law. [1967 c.429 §27]

477.412 Disposition and use of moneys received by forester under contract or agreement. All money received by the forester pursuant to a contract or agreement described in ORS 477.406 shall be paid into the State Treasury, credited to the State Forestry Department Account and used pursuant to law for the purposes of the contract or agreement. [1967 c.429 §28]

477.415 Definitions for ORS 477.440 to 477.460. The definitions in ORS 321.005 apply to ORS 477.440 to 477.460. [1965 c.253 §78; 1967 c.429 §35; 1981 c.321 §8]

477.420 [Formerly 477.133; repealed by 1967 c.429 §61]

477.425 [Formerly 477.135; 1967 c.429 §13; 1977 c.182 §2; repealed by 1981 c.321 §12]

477.430 [1965 c.253 §82; 1967 c.429 §5; repealed by 1981 c.321 §12]

477.440 Emergency Fire Cost Committee; members; terms; vacancies. (1) The State Board of Forestry shall appoint an Emergency Fire Cost Committee consisting of four members, who shall be forest landowners or representatives of forest landowners whose forestland is being assessed for forest fire protection within a forest protection district. At least one member shall be selected from each forest region of the state. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

(2) Members of the Emergency Fire Cost Committee shall be appointed by the board for four-year terms. Appointments under this subsection shall be made by the board within 60 days after July 21, 1987. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the board shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the unexpired term. [Formerly 527.280; 1983 c.759 §12; 1987 c.919 §19]

477.445 Distribution of fire emergency funds by committee. The committee shall supervise and control the distribution of funds from the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund established under ORS 477.750. [Formerly 527.282; 1967 c.429 §6; 1981 c.321 §7]

477.450 Election of committee chairperson. After July 1, 1961, the committee shall meet and elect one of its members chairperson. The chairperson shall hold office for a period determined by the committee. Whenever the office of chairperson of the committee becomes vacant, the committee at its next regular or special meeting shall elect one of its members to fill the vacancy. [Formerly 527.288]

477.455 Meetings of committee; committee administrator. (1) Regular meetings of the committee shall be held quarterly prior to the day set for meetings of the State Board of Forestry, as otherwise provided by law. Special meetings of the committee may be called by its chairperson or by three members. The act or decision of any three members shall be deemed the act or decision of the committee.

(2) A staff member of the State Forestry Department shall be designated by the State Forester to serve as administrator for the committee. [Formerly 527.296; 1987 c.919 §21; 1991 c.639 §9]

477.460 Duties of administrator; compensation and expenses. (1) The administrator shall act as secretary of the committee and shall carry out the provisions of ORS 477.440 to 477.460 in such manner as the committee shall direct. The salary and other expenses of the administrator shall be paid from the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund as are other expenses of the committee.

(2) Members of the committee are entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495. [Formerly 527.292; 1969 c.314 §51; 1981 c.321 §6; 1987 c.919 §22]

FIRE PREVENTION

(Fire Seasons)

477.505 State Forester may declare fire season in district. (1) When conditions of fire hazard exist in a forest protection district or any part thereof, the State Forester may designate for that district or any part thereof the date of the beginning of a fire season for that year. The fire season shall continue for that district or part thereof until ended by order of the State Forester when conditions of fire hazard no longer exist in that district or part thereof.

(2) The State Forester may, during the same year and for the same district under circumstances similar to those described in subsection (1) of this section, designate one or more subsequent fire seasons. [1965 c.253 §93; 1969 c.204 §3; 1997 c.274 §10]

477.510 Acts prohibited during fire season. It is unlawful, during a fire season inside or within one-eighth of one mile of a forest protection district, to:

(1) Smoke while working in or traveling through any operation area.

(2) Use fuse and caps for blasting unless approval is granted by the forester. [Formerly 477.165; 1997 c.274 §11]

(Permits)

477.515 Permits required for fires on forestlands; waiver; permit conditions; cooperative agreements for permit administration; rules. (1) It is unlawful to set or cause to be set an open fire inside or within one-eighth of one mile of a forest protection district, either on one’s own land or on the land of another, without first securing a written permit for burning from the forester and complying with the conditions of the permit. In granting permits for burning:

(a) The forester may waive the requirement that permits be secured prior to burning, except during a fire season or when required under rules adopted pursuant to subsection (4) of this section.

(b) The forester shall prescribe conditions necessary to be observed in setting a fire and preventing it from spreading out of control.

(c) The forester may prescribe conditions necessary to be observed in maintaining air quality.

(2) Any permit obtained through willful misrepresentation is void.

(3) To avoid confusion or duplication of administration and to promote government efficiency, the forester may enter into a cooperative agreement with a county, a city or a rural fire protection district that:

(a) Allows the forester to administer the requirements of this section, in conjunction with the enforcement authority of ORS 477.980 to 477.993, on lands not otherwise subject to the requirements of this chapter; or

(b) Allows the cooperating agency to administer the burning permit requirements of ORS chapter 476 or 478, as appropriate, including applicable enforcement authority, on lands otherwise subject to the requirements of this chapter.

(4) All burning allowed under this section shall comply with applicable rules that may be adopted by the State Board of Forestry and the Department of Environmental Quality.

(5) The provisions of this section do not apply to campfires. [1965 c.253 §95; 1969 c.204 §204; 1969 c.680 §1; 1971 c.297 §1; 1997 c.274 §12; 1999 c.355 §14]

477.520 Refusal, suspension or revocation of permits. The forester may refuse, suspend or revoke a permit authorized by or issued under ORS 477.515 (1), when necessary in the judgment of the forester to prevent danger to life, health, forest resources or property. The forester may also refuse, suspend or revoke a permit authorized by or issued under ORS 477.515 (1), when necessary in the judgment of the forester, and after consultation with the Environmental Quality Commission to prevent air pollution, as defined in ORS 468A.005. [1965 c.253 §96; 1969 c.680 §2; 1997 c.274 §13]

477.525 [1965 c.253 §97; repealed by 1967 c.429 §14 (477.526 enacted in lieu of 477.525)]

477.526 [1967 c.429 §15 (enacted in lieu of 477.525); repealed by 1969 c.204 §8]

477.530 [1965 c.253 §98; repealed by 1997 c.274 §55]

477.532 Regional air quality authority’s functions limited. None of the functions of the Environmental Quality Commission under ORS 477.013, 477.515 and 477.520 shall be performed by any regional air quality authority established pursuant to ORS 468A.105. [1969 c.680 §5; 1997 c.274 §49]

(Restricted Uses)

477.535 Forester may proclaim forestland subject to restricted uses; coordination of state and federal land restrictions. (1) If the forester determines that any forestland inside or within one-eighth of one mile of a forest protection district is particularly exposed to fire danger, by proclamation the forester may designate such forestland as an extra fire hazard and may restrict the use of such forestland.

(2) The proclamation shall designate the area to which and the period during which the restrictions apply, and require that the area be subject to use only upon the condition that entrants comply with all the restrictions for the area.

(3) The proclamation shall designate the type of closure as:

(a) Regulated closure;

(b) Permit closure; or

(c) Absolute closure.

(4) For the purpose of consistency and coordination between all affected agencies in the administration of forestland restrictions, a plan shall be developed by the forester, in cooperation with federal, state and local governmental agencies, landowners and organizations affected by the restrictions. The primary objective of the plan is uniformity of regulations regardless of land ownership. The plan must recognize variation in fire danger and must specify levels of closure by unique but easily recognizable geographic boundaries. [Formerly 477.156; 1967 c.429 §45; 1989 c.615 §3; 1997 c.274 §14]

477.540 Notice of proclamation; suspension or termination; reinstatement. (1) The forester shall cause a notice of the closure proclaimed under ORS 477.535 to be posted in conspicuous locations that are in or near the designated areas. The forester shall cause a notice of each proclamation to be published in at least one newspaper published in each forest protection district containing the designated areas. Each published notice shall describe the area, type, restrictions and effective date of closure, and the manner in which permits may be secured if the area is subject to a permit closure.

(2) The proclamation shall remain in force until the time designated therein expires or until the forester finds that the restricted use is no longer requisite and by order suspends or terminates it. A reinstatement of a closure after a suspension does not require the notices described in subsection (1) of this section. [Formerly 477.160; 1967 c.429 §46; 1969 c.204 §5; 1997 c.274 §15; 1999 c.355 §15]

477.545 Restricted uses during closure. (1) Regulated closures require entrants into designated areas to comply with the requirements set forth in the proclamation under ORS 477.535, which requirements in the judgment of the forester are necessary to prevent danger to life, forest resources or property.

(2) Permit closures make the area subject to entry only through permit issued by the forester. The permit shall contain requirements which in the judgment of the forester are necessary to prevent danger to life, forest resources or property. The forester may, during periods of fire hazard conditions, refuse, suspend, revoke or restrict such permits.

(3) Absolute closures restrict the areas to all forms of use and shall be designated only during periods of extreme fire hazard conditions endangering life, forest resources or property. [Formerly 477.158; 1967 c.429 §47; 1969 c.204 §6; 1997 c.274 §16]

477.550 Violation of restrictions; access for fire fighting permitted. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is unlawful to enter any restricted area except in compliance with ORS 477.535 and 477.545, or to violate any of the requirements or restrictions under such sections.