Standing dead trees constitute a substantial deterrent to effective fire control action in forest areas, but are also an important and essential habitat for many species of wildlife. To insure continued existence of these wildlife species and continued forest growth while minimizing the risk of destruction by conflagration, only certain snags must be felled currently with the logging. The department shall adopt rules relating to effective fire control action to require that only certain snags be felled, taking into consideration the need to protect the wildlife habitat.
RCW 76.04.465