Wildfire Protection Agreement between the Departement of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture of the United States of America and the Secretariat of Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries of the United Mexican States for the common border

The purpose of this Agreement is to enable wildfire protection resources originating in the territory of one country to cross the United States-Mexico border in order to suppress wildfires on the other side of the border within the zone of mutual assistance in appropriate circumstances. The purpose of this Agreement is further to give authority for Parties to cooperate on other fire management activities outside the zone of mutual assistance. "Wildfire" means a fire that occurs in a "wildland" area, such as a range or forest, in which development is essentially non-existent except for roads, railroads, power lines, and similar transportation facilities, and structures, which if these exist, are widely scattered and are used primarily for recreation or agricultural purposes. Each Party shall immediately consider the request of the other Party, whether a Receiving Party or a sending Party, for cross-border movement of wildfire protection resources within the zone of mutual assistance, and, to the fullest extent practicable, promptly approve such request. The Parties shall ensure that annual operating plans are generated in accordance with Article VII. Each Party may obtain, as appropriate, the participation of its state, regional, local, private or tribal fire organizations in the implementation of this Agreement, subject to its national laws and regulations.