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

(1) The division, in consultation with local authorities, shall determine and execute the best method for protecting private and public property by:

(1)(a) except as provided by Subsection (1)(d), preventing, preparing for, or mitigating the origin and spread of fire on nonfederal forest, range, watershed, or wildland urban interface land in the state;
(1)(b) encouraging a landowner to conserve, protect, and manage forest or other land throughout the state;
(1)(c) taking action the division considers appropriate to manage wildland fire and protect life and property on nonfederal forest, range, watershed, or wildland urban interface land within the state; and
(1)(d) 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:

(2)(a) enter into an agreement with a public or private agency or individual:
(2)(a)(i) for the purpose of protecting, managing, or rehabilitating land owned or managed by the agency or individual; and
(2)(a)(ii) establishing a predetermined fire suppression plan, including a limited fire suppression strategy, for a specific fire management area; and
(2)(b) enter into a reciprocal agreement with a fire protection organization, including a federal agency, to provide fire protection for land, and an improvement on land, for which the organization normally provides fire protection.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 174, 2016 General Session