A bill granting the consent and approval of Congress to an interstate forest fire protection compact.
PL 105-377 (S.1134), enacted 11/12/1998

PUBLIC LAW 105-377—NOV. 12, 1998 
112 STAT. 3391 
Public Law 105-377 
105th Congress 
An Act 
Granting the consent and approval of Congress to an interstate forest fire protection 
Nov. 12, 1998 
compact. 
[S 1134] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 
1
. 
CONSENT 
OF 
CONGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The consent and approval of Congress is 
given to an interstate forest fire protection compact, as set out 
in subsection (b). 
(b) COMPACT.—The compact reads substantially as follows: 
"THE NORTHWEST WILDLAND FIRE 
PROTECTION AGREEMENT 
"THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by and between the State, 
Provincial, and Territorial wildland fire protection agencies signa-
tory hereto, hereinafter referred to as "Members". 
"FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the following terms and 
conditions, the Members agree: 
**ArticleI 
"1.1 
The purpose of this Agreement is to promote effective 
prevention, presuppression and control of forest fires in the North-
west wildland region of the United States and adjacent areas of 
Canada (by the Members) by providing mutual aid in prevention, 
presuppression and control of wildland fires, and by establishing 
procedures in operating plans that will facilitate such aid. 
**ArticleII 
"2.1 
The agreement shall become effective for those Mem- State listing. 
bers ratifjing it whenever any two or more Members, the States Canada, 
of Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, or the Yukon 
Territory, or the Province of British Columbia, or the Province 
of Alberta have ratified it. 
"2.2 
Any State, Province, or Territory not mentioned in 
this Article which is contiguous to any Member may become a 
party to this Agreement subject to unanimous approval of the 
Members. 
112 STAT. 3392 
PUBLIC LAW 105-377—NOV. 12, 1998 
"Article III 
"3.1 
The role of the Members is to determine from time 
to time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as 
may be found for enhancing the prevention, presuppression, and 
control of forest fires in the area comprising the Member's territory; 
to coordinate the plans and the work of the appropriate agencies 
of the Members; and to coordinate the rendering of aid by the 
Members to each other in fighting wildland fires. 
"3.2 
The Members may develop cooperative operating plans 
for the programs covered by this Agreement. Operating plans shall 
include definition of terms, fiscal procedures, personnel contacts, 
resources available, and standards applicable to the program. Other 
sections may be added as necessary. 
**ArticleIV 
"4.1 
A majority of Members shall constitute a quorum for 
the transaction of its general business. Motions of Members present 
shall be carried by a simple majority except as stated in Article 
II. Each Member will have one vote on motions brought before 
them. 
**ArticleV 
"5.1 
Whenever a Member requests aid from any other Mem-
ber in controlling or preventing wildland fires, the Members agree, 
to the extent they possibly can, to render all possible aid. 
"Article VI 
"6.1 
Whenever the forces of any Member are aiding another 
Member under this Agreement, the employees of such Member 
shall operate under the direction of the officers of the Member 
to which they are rendering aid and be considered agents of the 
Member they are rendering aid to and, therefore, have the same 
privileges and immunities as comparable employees of the Member 
to which the are rendering aid. 
"6.2 
No Member or its officers or employees rendering aid 
within another State, Territory, or Province, pursuant to this Agree-
ment shall be liable on account of any act or omission on the 
part of such forces while so engaged, or on account of the mainte-
nance or use of £iny equipment or supplies in connection therewith 
to the extent authorized by the laws of the Member receiving 
the assistsince. The receiving Member, to the extent authorized 
by the laws of the State, Territory, or Province, agrees to indemnify 
and save-harmless the assisting Member from any such liability. 
"6.3 
Any Member rendering outside giid pursuant to this 
Agreement shall be reimbursed by the Member receiving such aid 
for any loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation 
of any equipment and for the cost of all materials, transportation, 
wages, salaries and maintenance of personnel and equipment 
incurred in connection with such request in accordance with the 
provisions of the previous section. Nothing contained herein shall 
prevent any assisting Member from assuming such loss, damage. 
PUBLIC LAW 105-377—NOV. 12, 1998 
112 STAT. 3393 
expense or other cost or from loaning such equipment or from 
donating such services to the receiving Member without charge 
or cost. 
"6.4 
For purposes of the Agreement, personnel shall be 
considered employees of each sending Member for the payment 
of compensation to injured employees and death benefits to the 
representatives of deceased employees injured or killed while ren-
dering aid to another Member pursuant to this Agreement. 
"6.5 
The Members shall formulate procedures for claims 
and reimbursement under the provisions of this Article. 
"Article VII 
"7.1 
When appropriations for support of this agreement, 
or for the support of common services in executing this agreement, 
are needed, costs will be allocated equally among the Members. 
"7.2 
As necessary. Members shall keep accurate books of 
account, showing in fiiU, its receipts and disbursements, and the 
books of account shall be open at einy reasonable time to the 
inspection of representatives of the Members. 
"7.3 
The Members may accept any and all donations, gifts, 
and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services 
fi-om the Federal or any local government, or any agency thereof 
and fi'om any person, firm or corporation, for any of its purposes 
and functions under this Agreement, and may receive and use 
the same subject to the terms, conditions, and regulations governing 
such donations, gifts, and grants. 
"Article VIII 
"8.1 
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit 
or restrict the powers of any Member to provide for the prevention, 
control, and extinguishment of wildland fires or to prohibit the 
enactment of enforcement of State, Territorial, or Provincial laws, 
rules or regulations intended to aid in such prevention, control 
and extinguishment of wildland fires in such State, Territory, or 
Province. 
"8.2 
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to affect 
any existing or future Cooperative Agreement between Members 
and/or their respective Federal agencies. 
"Article IX 
"9.1 
The Members may request the United States Forest 
Service to act as the coordinating agency of the Northwest Wildland 
Fire Protection Agreement in cooperation with the appropriate agen-
cies for each Member. 
"9.2 
The Members will hold an annual meeting to review 
the terms of this Agreement, any applicable Operating Plans, emid 
make necessary modifications. 
"9,3 
Amendments to this Agreement can be made by simple 
majority vote of the Members and will take effect immediately 
upon passage. 
112 STAT. 3394 
PUBLIC LAW 105-377—NOV. 12, 1998 
"Article X 
"10.1 
This Agreement shall continue in force on each Mem-
ber until such Member takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such 
action shall not be effective until 60 days after notice thereof 
has been sent to all other Members. 
"Article XI 
"11.1 
Nothing is this Agreement shall obligate the funds 
of any Member beyond those approved by appropriate legislative 
action.". 
SEC. 2. OTHER STATES. 
Without further submission of the compact, the consent of 
Congress is given to £iny State to become a party to it in accordance 
with its terms. 
SEC. 3. RIGHTS RESERVED. 
The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly 
reserved. 
Approved November 12, 1998. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1134: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 144 (1998): 
July 30, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 15, considered and passed House.