Essential elements of the department's fire protection program include planning, prevention, detection, initial attack, smoke management and fuels management. On all fires, the department can count on the help of forest landowners and loggers. The department also works closely with other fire protection agencies. In addition to aggressive fire suppression, all fires are investigated to determine specific causes. In fires where negligence is involved, or in fires resulting from logging operations, the department collects money to replace landowner and state taxpayer dollars already spent on fire fighting costs.
Fire prevention is still the best way to protect the forest.
Education is directed at a number of causes. The department works hard to find solutions to this growing problem since wildfires can be particularly deadly and costly when homes and structures are build on forest land.