ARTICLE 1. Performance of Fire Protection Functions by County Firewarden or State Forester [55600. - 55609.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 1.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55600. Section 55600.

As used in this article, “local agency” means a city, chartered city, or a fire protection district.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55601. Section 55601.

As used in this article, “county” means a county in which a county firewarden has been appointed.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55602. Section 55602.

As used in this article, “forest fire” means any fire burning uncontrolled on any lands partially or wholly covered by timber, brush, grass, grain, or other inflammable vegetation.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55603. Section 55603.

The board of supervisors of any county may contract with any local agency within the county, and the legislative body of the local agency may contract with the county, for the performance by the county firewarden of functions for the prevention and suppression of fires.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55603.5. Section 55603.5.

Every contract between a county and a city that provides for the furnishing of fire protection services by the county to the city, except a contract to render assistance whenever a fire occurs within the limits of a city of when it cannot be adequately handled by the fire department of the city, shall be for a term of at least one year. Neither the county nor the city shall have the power to abrogate that contract during the term of the contract. The contractual relationship between the county and the city may, however, be terminated by the voters of either the county or the city. The board of supervisors or the governing body of the city may, at any time, call and conduct a special election in the county or the city, as the case may be, for the purpose of submitting to the voters of the county or the city a proposition for the termination of the contractual relationship between the county and the city. An election in the county shall be called and conducted in the same manner as other special elections in the county. An election in the city shall be called and conducted in the same manner as other special elections in the city, except that no notice of the election, other than the notice prescribed by Section 12110 of the Elections Code, need be given and neither sample ballots nor polling place notices need be mailed for the election. If at an election in the county or an election in the city, a majority of the voters voting vote in favor of the termination of the contractual relationship between the county and the city, the contractual relationship shall be terminated on the first day of July next succeeding the date of the election, if the election is held on or before February 1 of the fiscal year of the county. If the election is held subsequent to February 1 of the fiscal year, the contractual relationship shall be terminated on June 30 of the fiscal year next succeeding.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55604. Section 55604.

When the contract has been made, the county firewarden, his deputies, and assistants may exercise the same powers and duties within the local agency as are conferred upon officers charged with the duty of preventing and suppressing fires by State and local law within such county or local agency.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55605. Section 55605.

In the contract the local agency may provide for the payment by it to the county of an agreed consideration to be paid to the county treasurer.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55606. Section 55606.

The board of supervisors may contract with the state, through the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, for the performance by the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, his or her deputies, and assistants of functions for the prevention or suppression of fires within the county.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55607. Section 55607.

The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection may contract with the county for the performance by the county fire warden, his or her deputies, and assistants of functions for the prevention or suppression of fires within the county.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55608. Section 55608.

When a contract has been made, the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection or the county fire warden may exercise the same powers and duties within the county for the prevention and suppression of fires which by state or local law is conferred upon those officers.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 55609. Section 55609.

The contract between the county and the State may provide for the duties, directions, and salaries of such personnel upon the terms agreed upon.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026