SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6397

BYSenators Barr and Rasmussen

Revising provisions relating to forest fires.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen.

Senate Staff:Kaleen Cottingham (786-7415)

                  March 5, 1988

House Committe on Natural Resources

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 9, 1988

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.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Bob Dick, NFPA

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

The fire protection and suppression responsibility in residentially developed forest areas is delineated so that the DNR protects forest land and suppresses forest fires and that the rural fire districts and municipal fire departments protect improved property and suppress structural fires.  The DNR is directed to establish a procedure to work with these other fire control agencies to define geographic areas and boundaries of responsibility.

The zones identified as DNR responsibility are called "forest protection zones."  Forest land which, by consent, is excluded from this zone shall not be assessed for forest fire protection by the DNR.  These zones shall, after agreement with affected local fire protection agencies, be established by rule under the Administrative Procedure Act.

It is clearly stated that managers or owners of all nonfederal public forest lands (such as the Department of Wildlife) within a "forest protection zone" shall pay the forest protection and suppression assessments.

The declaration of a forest fire as a public nuisance is clarified so that the DNR's responsibility covers suppression of fire on or threatening forest land within a fire protection zone.