The State law makes the private landowner responsible for furnishing protection against the starting or 

 the existence and to suppress the spread of fire on his own lands during the full period of each forest fire 

 season. Obviously, many landowners are neither trained nor prepared to accept these responsibilities. 

 The State Forester, with the assistance of the landowners and the Clarke-McNary Program, is trained, 

 equipped, and able to provide protection to the State and privately -owned lands particularly if it conforms 

 with the pattern presently existing west of the Continental Divide. 



What are we going to do about all this ? Time and experience has shown us that the creation of a forest 

 fire district Is the only suitable solution. We recognize that under the existinglegislationthat the 

 creation of additional district will be extremely difficult. 



The State Forester has a responsibility to provide protection to the state-owned forest lands. We have 

 been providing this protection in the past and will continue to do so. The ForestServicehas indicated 

 a willingness to protect certain State and privately-owned lands lying within the boundaries of some 

 National Forests, if the landowners are willing to sign an affidavit requesting the Board of Foresty to 

 provide them with protection and if the payment for this protection may be collected as an assessment 

 with taxes underithe existing laws. This is being negotiated at the present time with those landowners 

 affected. 



On lands lying outside of National Forest boundaries, however, it is a different story. The Forest 

 Service has indicated that they will not accept this responsibility. 



As we plan to provide protection to state-owned land, it may be possible for some landowners adjacent 

 to state-owned forest lands to cooperate with us and thus provide protection to both our lands. We 

 propose to do this either direct with our own organization or through cooperation with local volunteer 

 fire departments. In some isolated areas we may work out cooperative agreements with local ranchers. 

 In either event, a part of the cooperative program would be to supply the necessary equipment and training. 

 Admittedly this system isn't as efficient as the organized fire protection district approach. In the long 

 run it generally cost more both in suppression costs and in fire losses. 



The withdrawal action oi the National Forest Service has created a problem for you who are forest 

 landowners. The State Forester and the State Board of Forestry are willing and able to assist you 

 but you must determine the method and the amount of their assistance that you want. In the meanwhile 

 as landowners you must provide against the starting or existence, and to suppress the spread of fire 

 on your lands- during the full period of each forest fire season. 



(Several SWCD boards of Supervisors have expressed concern about the need for adequate forest and 

 range fire protection. Obviously this is an important conservation matter. The above article by the 

 State Forester explains the forest situation and should be the basis for some action by SWCD supervisors. 

 Ed) 



