250-RICR-70-00-2. Rules and Regulations Relative to Forest Fire Personnel and Forest Fires and Prevention (version Periodic Refile, 12/31/2001 to 09/22/2004)

“EFFECTIVE 4/18/71” RULES AND REGULATIONS RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Regulations Under Chapter 124, Public Laws, 1970 Relative to Forest Fire Personnel and Relative to Forest Fires and Prevention. A. Designation of fire chief, senior officer and forest fire districts (2-11-2) 1. The designation of a specific forest fire district and/or jurisdiction by a fire chief shall be made by said chief on a recognizable and acceptable map, clearly defined, signed and dated by said chief and transmitted to the director of the department of natural resources. 2. Duplicate and/or overlapping areas of jurisdiction by more than one fire chief should not be in conflict with the respective fire department’s charter and if this conflict does occur it shall be resolved at the local level before transmitting said specific jurisdictional area map to the director of the department of natural resources. B. Rate of Compensation (2-11-3) 1. Payment state wide for fire vehicles used under the direction of a fire chief or senior officer in the extinguishments of a forest fire shall be for the full amount (100 percent) and at the rate of fifty dollars ($50.00) per fire for the first three hours on a fire, and at an additional rate of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per vehicle per hour for all time in excess of three (3) hours. 2. Payment statewide for crawler tractors (bulldozers) including operators used under the direction of a fire chief or senior officer in the extinguishments of a forest fire shall for the full amount (100 per cent) and will be at the following rates: (a) John Deere 1010 or equal – ten dollars ($10.00) per hour (b) D-4 or equal – twelve dollars ($12.00) per hour (c) D-6 or equal – fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour (d) D-7 or equal – eighteen dollars ($18.00) per hour (e) D-8 or equal –twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per hour Three crawler tractors (including operators) will be paid on an hourly basis for work actually performed with a minimum allowance of one (1) hour per forest fire. A separate forest fire bill for fire vehicles and crawler tractors (including operators) will be completed by the respective fire chief directing same, using the standard departmental bill form. Said fire chief will attach this bill as part of his total invoice for payment. 3. Payment for out-of-state assistance in Rhode Island (and not recognized as compact aid under the provisions of the northeast forest fire protection compact) will be for full cost and shall be made at the same rate per man per hour consistent with Section 2-11-3 and Section 2-12-16 and at the same rate per fire per vehicle per hour and/or per crawler tractor (bulldozer with operator) per hour as specified in these rules and regulations. 4. A separate forest fire bill for out of state assistance will be completed by the respective Rhode Island fire chief requesting said assistance, using the standard departmental bill form. Said fire chief will attach this bill to that for his fire department and include it as part of the total invoice for payment. C. Patrols During Drought (2-11-4) Forest fire patrol vehicles employed during drought shall be fire vehicles and contain functional two-way radio communications. D. Restriction on Attended Open Air Fires (2-12-7) 1. Burning by any person in rubbish burners, incinerators and /or outside fireplaces must be attended and must be done before 10:00 A.M. and/or after 5:00 P.M. during the period of March 15th to May 15th except when snow covers the ground, rain is falling or a written permit to kindle fire in the open air has been issued to burn in rubbish burner, incinerator, or outside fireplace by an authorized representative of the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. Burning on state property, at all times, or brush piles, grass, debris, or any other materials in the open air and on or adjacent to forest land requires a written permit to kindle fire. 2. An open air fire shall be construed to mean any fire in the outdoors or in a structure not completely enclosed by walls and a roof. Pursuant to authority granted to the Director of the Department of Natural Resources in 2-12-5 and of preventing and suppressing forest fires the aforementioned regulations are hereby promulgated.