Caring For The Trees And Forests of Mississippi

Fire Law Enforcement

The Mississippi Forestry Commission Fire Law Enforcement Officers have the authority to bear arms, investigate and make arrests in woods arson cases.  Under section 49-19-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 "... the fact than any person is found to have a brush or debris pile or other material which is or was being burned and reasonable and prudent effects were not taken to prevent the spread of the fire onto the lands of another shall be evidence that such person recklessly or with gross negligence caused the land to burn."  A Woods Arson Citation maybe issued for any of Mississippi fire statutes.

Section 97-17-13.  Arson - willfully or negligently firing woods, marsh, meadow, etc. 

If any person willfully, maliciously, and feloniously sets on fire any woods, meadows, marsh, field or prairie, not his own, he shall be guilty of a felony and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to the state penitentiary for not more than two (2) years nor less than one year, or fined not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both, in the discretion of the court. Provided, however, if any person recklessly or with gross negligence causes fire to be communicated to any woods, meadow, marsh, field or prairie, not his own, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, on conviction, be fined not less than Twenty Dollars ($20.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or imprisoned in the county jail not more than three (3) months, or both, in the discretion of the court. Section 97-17-13 of the Mississippi Code if 1972, as amended.

Section 95-5-15.  By firing woods.  

If any person shall set on fire any lands of another, or shall wantonly, negligently, or carelessly allow any fire to get into the lands of another, he shall be liable to the person injured thereby, not only for the injury to or destruction of buildings, fences, and the like, but for the burning and injury of trees, timber, and grass, and damage to the range as well; and shall moreover be liable to a penalty of One Hundred and Fifty Dollars in favor of the owner.

To report woods arson, contact the following Fire Investigators:

Publications:

• Woods Arson Cost Mississippi!