§9-13-12. Uncontrolled fires declared public nuisances; liability for refusal or neglect to control or extinguish same.

Any fire burning uncontrolled on any forested, cutover, brushland or grassland area is hereby declared to be a public nuisance by reason of its menace to life and property. Any person, firm, association or corporation responsible either for the starting or the existence of such fire is hereby required to make a reasonable effort to control or extinguish it as soon as he has knowledge thereof, and if such person, firm, association or corporation shall refuse or neglect to do so, any organized fire suppression force may suppress the nuisance thus constituted by controlling and extinguishing the fire, and the cost thereof may be recovered from said person, firm, association or corporation responsible for the starting or existence of such fire.

(Acts 1939, No. 429, p. 711, § 2; Code 1940, T. 8, §205.)