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Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§1856m Definitions

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 15A— - RECIPROCAL FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENTS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION WITH FOREIGN FIRE ORGANIZATION › § 1856m

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines terms for wildfire agreements. "Assume any and all liability" means paying any judgments, settlements, fines, and all legal or other litigation costs; for Federal firefighters it also covers paying for their legal representation. "Federal firefighter" is a person provided by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior under section 1856n. "Foreign fire organization" is a foreign government or group with wildfire resources; "Foreign firefighter" is a person it provides under section 1856n. "Wildfire" means any forest or range fire. "Wildfire protection resources" are the people, supplies, equipment, or other resources used before or during firefighting.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §1856m

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In this subchapter:
(1)The term “assume any and all liability” means—
(A)the payment of—
(i)any judgment, settlement, fine, penalty, or cost assessment (including prevailing party legal fees) associated with the applicable litigation; and
(ii)any cost incurred in handling the applicable litigation (including legal fees); and
(B)with respect to a Federal firefighter, arranging for, and paying the costs of, representation in the applicable litigation.
(2)The term “Federal firefighter” means an individual furnished by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior under an agreement entered into under section 1856n of this title.
(3)The term “foreign fire organization” means any foreign governmental, public, or private entity that has wildfire protection resources.
(4)The term “foreign firefighter” means an individual furnished by a foreign fire organization under an agreement entered into under section 1856n of this title.
(5)The term “wildfire” means any forest or range fire.
(6)The term “wildfire protection resources” means any personnel, supplies, equipment, or other resources required for wildfire presuppression and suppression activities.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 1856m, Pub. L. 100–428, § 2, Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1615, related to definitions, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title IV, § 411(2), Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1039.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

of 1989 Amendment Pub. L. 101–11, § 1, Apr. 7, 1989, 103 Stat. 15, provided that: “This Act [repealing section 1856p of this title] may be cited as the ‘Wildfire Suppression Assistance Act’.”

Short Title

Pub. L. 100–428, § 1, Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1615, as amended by Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title IV, § 411(1), Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1039, provided that: “This Act [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the ‘Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act’.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 1856m

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73