Rangeland fire protection associations urge state help; bills would let state transfer equipment and fund RFPAs with $1 million

Ranchers and volunteer firefighters urged the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans on March 25 to support House Bill 3,349 and House Bill 3,350, which would increase the State Forester’s authority to transfer or sell state firefighting vehicles to Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) and appropriate $1,000,000 to an RFPA fund.

LPRO staff summarized HB 3,349 as expanding the State Department of Forestry’s authority to regulate disposal and transfer of department vehicles and authorizing sale or transfer of ownership of state vehicles to RFPAs; HB 3,350 appropriates funding for the Rangeland Protection Association Fund, with an amendment adding $1,000,000. Supporters described RFPA contributions during the 2024 fire season. Witnesses reported that RFPAs collectively cover tens of millions of acres, operate with hundreds of volunteer firefighters and rely on donated or surplus government vehicles and member equipment.

Several RFPA leaders and county officials gave detailed accounts of 2024 responses: Ted Netter described his RFPA’s operations across 17.6 million acres and said the organizations rely largely on volunteer dues, donations and a single federal grant; Elizabeth Park and Tom Dohman recounted responses to specific large fires and the volunteer hours and out‑of‑pocket fuel and equipment costs incurred; John O’Keefe and Silas Skinner described times when RFPA actions prevented fires from becoming catastrophic and highlighted ongoing maintenance costs for donated military vehicles. Lynn Finley, who has a long career in wildland fire management, urged support and said the bills would address a safety and communications gap by allowing transfer of excess state equipment and authorizing funding for training, equipment and communications.

Witnesses asked the committee to permit the state forester to transfer depreciated equipment and to provide a funding pathway so volunteer associations can obtain and maintain radios, tires and pumps. Several RFPAs reported operating on annual budgets under $50,000 and noted that vehicle maintenance or fuel costs for extended attacks often come from ranch operating budgets.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about grant eligibility and vehicle ages; witnesses described receiving surplus Humvees and other military equipment that often require thousands of dollars in volunteer labor and parts to convert for firefighting use. The committee closed the hearing at the end of the testimony; no vote occurred at that time.