The requirements of this title shall not prevent any person from performing emergency maintenance on any pipe, conduit or transmission facility lawfully on a county highway or from making an emergency encroachment or use which is deemed necessary to protect and preserve life or property when an urgent necessity arises from an emergency as defined by this title. Any person making any emergency use or encroachment or who is otherwise affecting the county highway shall apply for a written encroachment permit within 10 calendar days after any emergency work is initiated. Any person contemplating or initiating emergency work under this section shall first notify the department and the Sierra County Sheriff specifying the nature of the emergency, the extent of work contemplated and the location of such work. (Formerly 35.18)