§ 65A-8-101. Division responsibilities for fire control and the preservation of forest, watershed, and other lands -- Reciprocal agreements for fire protection.

(1) The division shall determine and execute the best method for protecting private and public property by:

(a) except as provided by Subsection (1)(e), preventing the origin and spread of fire on nonfederal forest, range, or watershed land in an unincorporated area of the state;

(b) protecting a nonfederal forest or watershed area using conservation principles;

(c) encouraging a private landowner to preserve, protect, and manage forest or other land throughout the state;

(d) taking action the division considers appropriate to control wildland fire and protect life and property on the nonfederal forest, range, or watershed land within an unincorporated area of the state; and

(e) implementing a limited fire suppression strategy, including allowing a fire to burn with limited or modified suppression, if the division determines that the strategy is appropriate for a specific area or circumstance.

(2) The division may:

(a) enter into an agreement with a public or private agency or individual:

(i) for the purpose of protecting, managing, or rehabilitating land owned or managed by the agency or individual; and

(ii) establishing a predetermined fire suppression plan, including a limited fire suppression strategy, for a specific fire management area; and

(b) enter into a reciprocal agreement with a fire protection organization, including a federal agency, to provide fire protection for land and an improvement for which the organization normally provides fire protection.

Amended by Chapter 20, 2008 General Session