(1) A forest landowner shall be absolutely liable for fire suppression costs for any fire that occurs within an extreme fire hazard created by eight hundred or more contiguous acres of additional fire hazard when:

(a) The additional fire hazard's origin is less than five years, except when:

(i) The material is fifty percent or more Douglas fir by volume, the time of origin shall be less than eight years; or

(ii) The material is fifty percent or more cedar by volume, the time of origin shall be less than twenty years.

(b) Its unisolated compartments comprise eight hundred acres or more regardless of ownership or logging pattern;

(c) Its composition comprises an average tonnage greater than nine tons per acre of material, three inches or less in diameter.

(2) The department may identify additional acres comprising eight hundred acres or more of additional fire hazard extending beyond these limitations of time, with comparable high hazard and/or a threat to life or property and, upon written notification, place absolute liability for fires with the forest landowner(s).

(3) Areas of additional fire hazard will be considered as one contiguous area, unless one of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) The areas are separated by natural barriers of at least three hundred feet in width at their narrowest point. Natural barriers can include streams, ridge tops and/or areas not comprising an additional fire hazard;

(b) The areas are separated by a constructed barrier as provided in the definition of isolation;

(c) A combination of (a) and (b) of this subsection.