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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 12Pt. 2.7Ch. 2§ 13811 State Fire Responsibility Districts

§ 13811 State Fire Responsibility Districts

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 13811 State Fire Responsibility Districts

Key Takeaways

  • •Some wildfire-prone lands (called 'state responsibility areas') can be added to a local fire district, except for big forests that are already the state’s job.
  • •Before adding these lands, the local government must mail a notice to the state’s fire boss (Director of Forestry and Fire Protection) and hold a public meeting.
  • •Even if the land is added to the local district, the state still handles wildfires in forests, brush, and grassy areas.
  • •The local fire district only takes care of fires in buildings and can offer the same services (like putting out house fires) as they do in other parts of the district.

Example

A small town wants to add a nearby hill with dry grass and a few houses to their fire district.

The town must tell the state’s fire boss about their plan and have a meeting. If approved, the state still fights wildfires on the hill’s grassy areas, but the town’s fire department protects the houses and can help with other fires like they do everywhere else in town.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 13811 State Fire Responsibility Districts

Territory which has been classified as a state responsibility area may be included in a district, except for commercial forest lands which are timbered lands declared to be in a state responsibility area. The executive officer of the local agency formation commission shall give mailed notice of the commission’s hearing on any proposal to include a state responsibility area in a district, whether by annexation or formation, to the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection. The commission may approve the proposal. Upon inclusion of a state responsibility area in a district, whether by formation or annexation, the state shall retain its responsibility for fire suppression and prevention on timbered, brush, and grass-covered lands. The district shall be responsible for fire suppression and prevention for structures in the area and may provide the same services in the state responsibility area as it provides in other areas of the district. (Amended by Stats. 1988, Ch. 465, Sec. 5. Effective August 22, 1988.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

responsibilityhearingdirectorfireoffercommissionformationprotection

Related Statutes

  • § 17920.9 Foam Building Fire Safety
  • § 32100.05 Hospital District Board Expansion
  • § 32140 Bankruptcy Notice To Commission
  • § 50465 Flood Protection Building Standards
  • § 1797.109 Emt Training For Public Safety

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 13811.
View Official Source