(1) All Washington state patrol officers, fish and wildlife officers, deputy state fire marshals, and state park rangers, while in their respective jurisdictions, shall be ex officio rangers.

(2) Employees of the United States forest service, when recommended by their forest supervisor, and citizens of the state advantageously located may, at the discretion of the department, be commissioned as rangers and vested with the certain powers and duties of wardens as specified in this chapter and as directed by the department.

(3) Rangers shall receive no compensation for their services except when employed in cooperation with the state and under the provisions of this chapter and shall not create any indebtedness or incur any liability on behalf of the state: PROVIDED, That rangers actually engaged in extinguishing or preventing the spread of fire on forestland or elsewhere that may endanger forestland shall, when their accounts for such service have been approved by the department, be entitled to receive compensation for such services at a rate to be fixed by the department.

(4) The department may cancel the commission of any ranger or authority granted to any ex officio ranger who may be incompetent or unwilling to discharge properly the duties of the office.