05/03/07 Governor signs Schoesler's wildfire property access bill

Washington Ag May 3, 2007 A half a loaf. That's how Republican State Senator Mark Shoesler of Ritzville describes his wildfire property access bill as passed by the legislature and now signed by the governor this week. Schoesler had sponsored Senate Bill 5315 in the wake of complaints by property owners in Southeastern Washington last year that law enforcement officials didn't allow them to enter or stay on their land to battle wildfires endangering their buildings and property. Schoesler: "We had hoped for a stronger bill that would require access no matter what. But we came up with a voluntary registry and a plan for the sheriffs and chiefs to put together an action plan for access. So, we came out with half a loaf but after seeing the mayor of Starbuck handcuffed to a chair trying to access his property, we think it is a step in the right direction." It was the House of Representatives that changed the bill by authorizing, not requiring county sheriffs to maintain a registry of people allowed access to their land during wildfires until a model ordinance has been enacted. Under Senate Bill 5315 federal, state and local agencies are provided immunity when facilitating access under the law's provisions. Private landowners are provided immunity for injuries or losses suffered by anyone entering upon or passing through their land during a wildfire affecting it. I'm Bob Hoff.