TITLE 2

Agriculture and Forestry

CHAPTER 2-12

Forest Fires and Prevention

SECTION 2-12-15



   § 2-12-15  Emergency powers of director.

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Whenever, in his or her opinion, an unusual forest fire hazard exists, the

governor shall in writing, notify the director of environmental management, and

shall likewise notify the director when in his or her opinion the hazard has

ceased to exist. Between the dates of the receipt by him or her of the notices,

the director has full charge of the hazard and all fire chiefs and senior

officers shall obey his or her orders or those of his or her authorized

representatives; and he and she and his or her authorized representatives shall

have all the powers of fire chiefs and senior officers and the director of the

department of environmental management may establish rates of payment for

equipment used in the prevention and suppression of forest fires. Any time

during this period of unusual forest fire hazard, the director may prohibit, by

a written directive filed with the secretary of state and by public

announcement, all open air fires and any other activity conducted in the open

air that creates a forest or wildland fire hazard, in any areas of the state

that he or she deems necessary to protect the health and property of the people

of the state. Any person, firm or corporation who violates a directive, upon

conviction, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars

($300) nor less than fifty dollars ($50.00) or not exceeding ninety (90) days

nor less than thirty (30) days' imprisonment or both for each offense and each

day shall be considered a separate offense.



History of Section.

(G.L. 1956, § 2-12-15; P.L. 1970, ch. 124, § 4.)