Copperton council signs wildfire cooperative pact, assigns duties to Unified Fire Authority

The Copperton Town Council on Aug. 19 unanimously approved a state‑required Cooperative Wildfire System Agreement and an interlocal arrangement assigning the town’s wildfire responsibilities to the Unified Fire Authority.

Town Attorney Nathan Bracken told the council the state’s new rule requires municipalities to sign wildfire cooperative agreements directly and described statutory assumptions about fire‑department ownership that complicate municipal signing. "The state’s new requirement for municipalities to sign wildfire cooperative agreements directly" was noted as the impetus for the changes. Council Member Kathleen Bailey moved to approve the Cooperative Wildfire System Agreement; the motion passed 5‑0. The council then approved Resolution R2026‑14 to assign the town’s obligations to UFA, again by a unanimous vote.

Council members discussed operational and legal implications during the review. The interlocal agreement is intended to ensure compliance with state requirements while leaving day‑to‑day wildfire response and mutual‑aid coordination with the experienced UFA. Attorney Bracken recommended staff track implementation details and provide follow‑up materials to clarify which operational tasks UFA will assume and how the town will document compliance.

Next steps include formal execution of the interlocal documents and administrative coordination with UFA to implement the assigned responsibilities under the town’s wildfire plan.