Helpful information for commercial vehicles responding to fire season

July 11, 2018

Motor carriers must comply with safety regulations unless an official declaration of emergency has been made by officials having authority to declare emergencies, such as the governor.

When emergencies are declared, MCTD coordinates with enforcement officials around Oregon. If you are responding to an emergency, be sure to tell enforcement personnel. If you are unsure of whether or not hours of service regulations have been waived please call 503-378-6963.

• Check the Oregon Governor’s website for specific information about emergency declarations.

As fire season begins in Oregon, it is vital to remind motor carriers that even for vehicles responding to a fire, size and weight exemptions cannot be waived.

Loads must be of legal dimensions, or operating under the provisions and requirements of the over-dimension permit issued to the truck by the Motor Carrier Transportation Division.

• For information about size and weight permitting in Oregon, contact the Over-Dimension Permit Unit between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at 503-373-0000.
• To acquire a permit when responding to an emergency outside of normal business hours call 503-931-1541.

Vehicles responding to fire emergencies are required to enter open scale facilities when a sign posted before the scale reads:

• "All Trucks Over 20,000 pounds GVWR Next Right.”
• Or trucks with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or greater without posted sign unless they are operating with red warning lights and/or siren.

Registration and tax credentials are required, unless otherwise exempt by rule or statute.

• For more information about these requirements, contact the Registration Entry Unit at 503-378-6699.

MCTD is working on an Administrative rule change that would allow over-width equipment to operate on summer weekends and holidays, including the return trip home, if in response to an emergency declaration. The carrier will be required to obtain an over-dimension permit for these moves, and abide by all provisions and requirements of the permit.

On average, about 500 forest fires start in Oregon each year, burning around 20,000 acres. Some are caused by lightning strikes, and some are started by humans.

Updates on fires and road conditions:

• Use TripCheck to check for road closure information related to fires.
• Road conditions can be obtained by phone as well. In Oregon, call 511 or 800-977-6368. Outside Oregon, call 503-588-2941.

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