§ 20-22-301 — Enforcement - Nonliability

(a) The Arkansas Forestry Commission shall designate those employees who shall have the powers of peace officers in the enforcement of the fire laws, the laws pertaining to the unlawful disposal of solid waste when the unlawful disposal occurs on forest land, and any criminal laws pertaining to the unlawful damage, vandalism, or theft of trees, timber, logs, or personal property when the personal property is used in forestry or logging operations. (b) Commission employees and fire crews under their direction or control shall be allowed to enter any lands, construct fire lines, set backfires, and obtain water, if necessary, to stop a fire then actually burning or to do other work necessary in the performance of their duties without liability for trespass or reasonable damage therefrom. (c) Upon request of the landowner or the landowner's agent and after the wildfire danger has subsided, the commission or fire crews under its direction or control shall replace the water obtained under the authority of this section.

Legislative History

Acts 1935, No. 85, § 7; Pope's Dig., § 3055; Acts 1981, No. 845, § 5; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-1957; Acts 1993, No. 521, § 1; 1995, No. 135, § 1; 1995, No. 137, § 1; 1999, No. 28, § 1; 2001, No. 362, § 1; 2005, No. 79, § 1.