OAR 629-044-1045
Natural Vegetative Fuel Hazard Factor
(1)
The reference for establishing the natural vegetative fuel hazard factor shall be the document “Aids to Determining Fuel Models for Estimating Fire Behavior” published by the Forest Service, USDA Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station in 1982 as General Technical Report Technical INT-122. Information from this reference is summarized in Table 3 of OAR 629-044-0250 (Natural Vegetative Fuel Hazard Factor). [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.](2)
Using the fuel models described in the reference set forth in subsection (1) of this rule, determine the geographic areas which best describe the natural vegetative fuels expected to occupy an area for the next five years.(3)
The geographic areas determined in subsection (2) of this rule shall be assigned the appropriate hazard value, as shown in Table 3 of OAR 629-044-0250 (Natural Vegetative Fuel Hazard Factor). [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.](4)
It is recognized that natural vegetation is highly variable and that the fuel models used in subsection (2) of this rule may not always accurately reflect expected wildfire behavior, due to variations in local species and vegetation conditions. Therefore, a committee may make such modifications to the hazard values as it determines is necessary to accurately reflect the following:(a)
A hazard value of 1 shall describe vegetation that typically produces a flame length of up to 5 feet, a wildfire which exhibits very little spotting, torching, or crowning, and which results in a burned area that can normally be entered within 15 minutes.(b)
A hazard value of 2 shall describe vegetation that typically produces a flame length of 5 to 8 feet, a wildfire which exhibits sporadic spotting, torching, or crowning, and which results in a burned area that can normally be entered within one hour.(c)
A hazard value of 3 shall describe vegetation that typically produces a flame length of over 8 feet, a wildfire that exhibits frequent spotting, torching, or crowning, and which results in a burned area that normally cannot be entered for over one hour.
Source:
Rule 629-044-1045 — Natural Vegetative Fuel Hazard Factor, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=629-044-1045.