SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5442

BYSenator Barr

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

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Vice Chairman; Barr, Craswell, Metcalf, Patterson, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Kaleen Cottingham (786-7415)

                  March 11, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 10, 1987

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 fire suppression mandate does not extend to structure fire suppression.

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

SUMMARY:

The first priority of DNR fire crews shall be to attempt 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 still may assist those in immediate danger.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Ken Hoover, DNR; Ray Nelson, DNR