77-5-104. Firewardens. (1) The department shall appoint firewardens in the number and localities that it considers necessary.
     (2) The supervisors and rangers of the federal forest lands within this state, whenever they formally accept the duties and responsibilities of firewardens, may be appointed firewardens.
     (3) The following are firewardens but may not receive any additional compensation by reason of the duties imposed:
     (a) sheriffs;
     (b) undersheriffs;
     (c) deputy sheriffs;
     (d) state fish, wildlife, and parks wardens and park rangers;
     (e) the state fish, wildlife, and parks director;
     (f) the director and employees of the department designated by the director;
     (g) officers of organized forest protection districts;
     (h) members of the Montana highway patrol;
     (i) officers of the national park service residing in Montana;
     (j) officers of the bureau of Indian affairs;
     (k) county rural fire chiefs; and
     (l) employees of the state fire prevention and investigation program provided for in 2-15-2005.
     (4) The firewardens shall promptly report all fires to the department, take immediate and active steps toward their extinguishment, report any violation of forest laws, and assist in apprehending and convicting offenders.

     History: En. Sec. 11, Ch. 147, L. 1909; re-en. Sec. 1833, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 1833, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 147, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 103, Ch. 253, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 17, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 81-1412; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 218, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 529, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 286, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 662, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 310, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 324, Ch. 418, L. 1995.