Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
Improper handling of fire consists of:
A. setting fire, or causing or procuring a fire to be set to any inflammable vegetation or forest material, growing or being on the lands of another person and without the permission of the owner thereof;
B. allowing fire to escape or spread from the control of the person having charge thereof without using reasonable and proper precaution to prevent such fire from escaping or spreading;
C. burning any inflammable vegetation or forest material, whether upon his own land or that of another person, without using proper and reasonable precaution at all times to prevent the escape of such fire;
D. leaving any campfire burning and unattended upon the lands of another person; or
E. causing a fire to be started in any inflammable vegetation or forest material, growing or being upon the lands of another person, by means of any lighted cigar, cigarette, match or other manner, and leaving such fire unquenched.
Provided, nothing herein shall constitute improper handling of fire where the fire is a backfire set for the purpose of stopping the progress of a fire then actually burning.
Whoever commits improper handling of fire is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - New Mexico Statutes Chapter 30. Criminal Offenses § 30-17-1. Improper handling of fire - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/nm/chapter-30-criminal-offenses/nm-st-sect-30-17-1/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)