§ 13:9-19 — Burning waste, vegetation or other materials; permits

In any district for which firewardens have been appointed under the provisions of this chapter, no person shall set fire to or cause to be set on fire in any manner whatsoever; or to start fires anywhere and permit them to spread to forests, thereby causing damage to or threat to life or property, either accidentally or otherwise, directly or indirectly, in person or by agent, or cause to be burned waste, fallows, stumps, logs, brush, dry grass, fallen timber or any property, material, or vegetation being grown thereon, or anything that may cause a forest fire, without first obtaining the written permission of the department. Within the designated protection area this requirement supersedes any law, rule, regulation or ordinance inconsistent therewith. No such permission shall be granted if, in the department's opinion, any forest will be endangered thereby; or if it violates the air pollution statutes; nor shall any such permission, if granted, relieve or exonerate any person from any penalties provided by this chapter, if by reason of such wildfire, any forest be burned. Amended by L.1981, c. 369, s. 24, eff. Dec. 30, 1981.