FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5442

FULL VETO

BYSenator Barr

Requiring department of natural resources to extinguish forest fires as a first priority.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

House Committe on Natural Resources

AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for preventing and suppressing fires on state and private forest land.  The DNR's mandate is to suppress forest fires.  This mandate includes all activities involved in the containment and control of forest fires including patrolling such fires until they are extinguished and pose no further threat to life or property.  This mandate does not extend to structure fire suppression.

The DNR has found that although they do not fight structural fires, forest fires in areas with residential development cause additional burdens and costs to fire suppression activities.

SUMMARY:

The first priority of DNR fire crews is to extinguish the fire.  The crews shall secondarily ascertain the necessity of removing individuals or property from the area of the fire.  The DNR crews may assist those in immediate danger.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    48     0

      House 93   5

FULL VETO:  (See VETO MESSAGE)