“If you have a clean lot and don’t mind a little paperwork, you can get a rebate from the state Department of Natural Resources.On property tax statements sent to property owners last month, most included a forest patrol fee. Everybody not in a city was billed, according to Tom Baenen, Island County Assessor. The proceeds are used to fight forest fires statewide. The minimum charge is $15.44 and it goes up from there, depending on the size of the piece of property. It adds up to a lot of money in Island County, but it’s needed, Baenen said. What do you think it costs to fight a forest fire?However, people living on improved lots don’t necessarily have to pay the fee. Roy VanRiper, who lives near Freeland on Lancaster Road, said he lives on 1.4 acres that includes his house, fruit trees and outbuildings. I mow the whole thing, he said. He applied for a refund and got his $15.44 back.Baenen said DNR refund forms are available at the Treasurer’s Office in the Island County Courthouse in Coupeville. The form is required to substantiate that the property owner takes good care of his land and it is not susceptible to wild fires. Island County collects the fee for the DNR, and receives 50 cents for each piece of property to cover its costs. “