10.1-1137 - Duty in case of fires and payment of costs of suppression.
§ 10.1-1137. Duty in case of fires and payment of costs of suppression.
When any forest warden sees or receives a report of a forest fire, he shallproceed immediately to the scene of the fire and employ such persons andmeans as in his judgment are expedient and necessary to extinguish the fire,within the limits of the expense he has been authorized to incur in hisinstructions from the State Forester. He shall keep an itemized account ofall expenses incurred and immediately send the account verified by affidavitto the State Forester.
Upon approval by the State Forester the account shall be paid from theForestry Operations Fund.
No such payment shall be made to any person who has maliciously started thefire or to any person whose negligence caused or contributed to the settingof the fire.
(Code 1950, § 10-57; 1964, c. 79; 1986, cc. 188, 567; 1988, c. 891.)