FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2993

                         C 199 L 00

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Setting fires for fire fighter instruction.

Sponsors:  Representatives G. Chandler and Cooper.

House Committee on Local Government

Senate Committee on State & Local Government

Background:

Fire protection district fire fighters may, for instruction in methods of fire fighting, set fire to structures without a permit.  These structures must be located outside the urban growth areas in counties that plan under the Growth Management Act, and outside any city with a population of 10,000 or more in all other counties.  Fires may be set without a permit if:

Cthe fire conforms with any other permits, licenses, or approvals required;

Cthe fire is not located in an area that is declared to be in an air pollution episode or any stage of an impaired air quality;

Cnuisance laws are applicable to the fire;

Cnotice of the fire is provided to owners of property adjoining the property on which the fire will occur, and any other persons who will potentially be impacted by the fire, or any additional persons as specifically requested by the local air pollution control agency or the Department of Ecology;

Ceach structure proposed to be set on fire is identified as one to be set on fire; and

Ca good faith inspection is conducted to determine if materials containing asbestos are present, the inspection is documented in writing to the appropriate local air authority or the Department of Ecology, and any asbestos found is removed as required by law.

Summary of Bill:

The conditions that must be met by a fire protection district to set a training fire without a permit are clarified to require that:

Cthe district consider prevailing air patterns, to ensure that the fire is unlikely to cause air pollution in sensitive areas downwind; and

Cthe good-faith inspection for asbestos required prior to setting a structure on fire be conducted by the fire agency or fire protection district conducting the training fire.

Votes on Final Passage:

House970

Senate460(Senate amended)

House980(House concurred)

Effective:June 8, 2000