Whenever a railroad owning or operating any road in this state, and authorized by law to exercise the right of condemning private property, deems it necessary to extend a fireguard along a road or any part of the road, and beyond the limits of the right-of-way of the railroad, it may do so, and for that purpose shall proceed in extending the fireguards in the manner provided by law pertaining to condemnation proceedings. The petition filed shall describe the desired fireguard and give any other particulars necessary to the determination of all the questions involved in the proceedings.
SDCL 49-16A-71