§ 113-55. Powers of forest rangers to prevent and extinguish fires; authority to issue citations and warning tickets.
§ 113‑55. Powersof forest rangers to prevent and extinguish fires; authority to issue citationsand warning tickets.
(a) Forest rangers shall prevent and extinguish forest fires andshall have control and direction of all persons and equipment while engaged inthe extinguishing of forest fires. During a season of drought, the Secretaryor his designate may establish a fire patrol in any district, and in case offire in or threatening any forest or woodland, the forest ranger shall attendforthwith and use all necessary means to confine and extinguish such fire. Theforest ranger or deputy forest ranger may summon any resident between the agesof 18 and 45 years, inclusive, to assist in extinguishing fires and may requirethe use of crawler tractors and other property needed for such purposes; anyperson so summoned and who is physically able who refuses or neglects to assistor to allow the use of equipment and such other property required shall beguilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and upon conviction shall only be subject to afine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one hundred dollars($100.00). No action for trespass shall lie against any forest ranger, deputyforest ranger, or person summoned by him for crossing lands, backfiring, burningout or performing his duties as a forest ranger or deputy forest ranger.
(b) Forest rangers are authorized to issue and serve citationsunder the terms of G.S. 15A‑302 and warning tickets under the terms ofG.S. 113‑55.2 for offenses under the forest laws. This subsection maynot be interpreted to confer the power of arrest on forest rangers, and doesnot make them criminal justice officers within the meaning of G.S. 17C‑2.(1915, c. 243, s. 6; C.S.,s. 6137; 1925, c. 106, ss. 1, 2; c. 240; 1927, c. 150, s. 4; 1951, c. 575;1963, c. 312, s. 2; 1973, c. 108, s. 65; c. 1262, s. 86; 1975, c. 620, s. 2;1977, c. 771, s. 4; 1983, c. 327, s. 3; 1989, c. 727, s. 63; 1993, c. 539, s.832; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)