§ 5-704. Willful, careless or negligent fires; fines and penalties
West's Annotated Code of MarylandNatural ResourcesEffective: October 1, 2013
Effective: October 1, 2013
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 5-704
§ 5-704. Willful, careless or negligent fires; fines and penalties
(a) Any individual or corporation that willfully, maliciously, or with intent, sets on fire, or causes to be set on fire, any woods, brush, grass, grain, or stubble is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine not less than $250 nor exceeding $2,000, or imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor exceeding five years, or both with costs imposed in the discretion of the court.
(b) An individual or corporation may not carelessly or negligently set on fire, or cause to be set on fire any woods, brush, grass, grain, or stubble. Setting a fire contrary to the provisions of this subsection is prima facie proof of carelessness or neglect within the meaning of this subsection. The landowner from whose land the fire originated also is liable in a civil action for damages for injury resulting from the fire, and for the cost of fighting and extinguishing the fire, unless the landowner can prove to the satisfaction of the court before which the case is tried that the injury complained of was suffered without any negligence on the part of the owner or the owner's agents.
(c) Any person who discovers a forest or brush fire not under the control of some person shall extinguish it or report it to the local fire warden.
Credits
Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 4, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 2013, c. 384, § 3, eff. Oct. 1, 2013.
Formerly Art. 66C, §§ 351 to 353.
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 5-704, MD NAT RES § 5-704
Current through legislation effective through May 9, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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