(a) The state board of land commissioners shall appoint a state forester who shall be the administrative head of the Wyoming state forestry division of the office of state lands and investments. The state forester shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The state forester shall have a bachelor's degree in forestry with not less than four (4) years experience in professional forestry work. The state forester shall, under the general supervision of the board, have direction of all forest interest and all matters pertaining to forestry within the jurisdiction of the state of Wyoming. (b) The state forester shall: (i) Take such action as may be deemed necessary by the state board of land commissioners to protect forest, range and other rural resources from fire. This responsibility shall in no way diminish the responsibility or authority of local fire protection districts; (ii) Assist the county sheriff in the enforcement of all laws pertaining to the protection of forest and range lands from fire; (iii) Collect data relative to forest conditions; (iv) Prepare an annual report on the progress and condition of state forestry work; (v) Recommend plans for improving the state system of forest protection, management and replacement; (vi) Whenever it is deemed essential and to the best interest of the state, cooperate with counties, cities, towns, corporations, or individuals for the protection, management and planting of trees, woodlots and timber tracts; (vii) Promote the development of the forest industry; (viii) Cooperate with federal agencies and all political subdivisions of the state to fulfill the intent of this section; (ix) Adopt rules as necessary to fulfill the duties described in this article; (x) Appoint assistants and employees as are necessary in executing the duties of the division; (xi) Maintain wildland and forestry fire control programs including, but not limited to: (A) Fire management, coordination and reimbursement for all lands owned and managed by the state of Wyoming and its agencies; (B) Fire management assistance within the state of Wyoming; (C) Pre-position suppression equipment, personnel and other resources during periods of high wildfire risk; (D) Support for local fire jurisdiction training programs; (E) Establishing standards and regulations for privately contracted private wildland fire resources operating in Wyoming. As used in this subparagraph, "privately contracted private wildland fire resources" includes services retained by insurers for prevention and suppression activities on insured properties.
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