Washington Administrative Code
Title 332 - Natural Resources, Board and Department of (See also Title 222)
Chapter 332-24 - Forest protection
HAZARD ABATEMENT
Section 332-24-654 - Extreme fire hazard - Liability - Responsibility

(1) Liability for the existence of an extreme hazard arises upon creation of the extreme hazard. No written notification by the department of its existence is required. Liability shall include any department suppression costs incurred during the act(s) of isolating, reducing or abating the extreme hazard.

(2) The owner(s) and/or person(s) responsible for the existence of an extreme fire hazard requiring abatement, as defined in WAC 332-24-650, shall abate the extreme fire hazard. The obligation to abate shall extend equally to all acreages of the extreme fire hazard, regardless of the number of owner(s) and/or person(s) responsible for its existence. The liability for the existence of the extreme fire hazard continues until the extreme fire hazard is abated.

(3) The owner(s) and/or person(s) responsible for the existence of an extreme fire hazard, as defined in WAC 332-24-652, may isolate and/or reduce the extreme fire hazard to remove the absolute liability associated with its existence. The liability assumed for the existence of the extreme fire hazard shall extend equally to all acreages involved, regardless of owner(s) and/or person(s) responsible for its existence. Isolation, when used, must be maintained for a period of eight years from creation of the extreme fire hazard, unless the extreme fire hazard is otherwise eliminated prior to that time. Isolation and/or reduction may be performed in any manner consistent with existing statutes, these regulations or as approved in writing by the department.