CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Program
The Law Enforcement program is an integral part of the CAL FIRE mission, protecting the State’s natural resources and people of the state of California for over 100 years. In 1887, employees of the Board of Forestry, including their assistants, were endowed with the power of a Peace Officer. During that year, the first Chief of Law Enforcement was appointed solely for the purpose of enforcing forest and fire laws within the State. The responsibility for enforcement of forest and fire laws and fire control passed to the Division of Forestry with the creation of the Department of Natural Resources in 1927.
CAL FIRE is statutorily responsible to enforce forest and fire laws and Forest Practice Regulations within all areas of the state, where they apply pursuant to Public Resources Code (PRC), Section 714.
The Department has been granted the authority to enforce the forest and fire laws, pursuant to PRC 4119, and the Director has been granted the authority to appoint Peace Officers (PRC 4156).
CAL FIRE Peace Officers are trained and certified in accordance with the California commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and attend a rigorous training program. Their authority is provided by Penal Code 830.2(g) and authorizes statewide jurisdiction.