New Jersey § 13:9-44

§ 13:9-44.

a. A prescribed burn, including the smoke and ash and other air pollution deriving

therefrom, conducted in accordance with the requirements of this act and an approved

prescribed burn plan, shall be deemed to be in the public interest and shall not constitute

arson, trespass, or a public or private nuisance. b. A landowner or lessee who conducts or authorizes a prescribed burn in accordance

with an approved prescribed burn plan, the requirements of this act, and the rules

and regulations adopted pursuant thereto shall not be liable in a civil action for

any damages or injury to persons or property from fire or the resulting smoke or ash

caused by the prescribed burn, unless it is proven that the landowner or lessee was

negligent in starting, executing, or controlling the prescribed burn. c. Any person who conducts or authorizes a prescribed burn in accordance with an approved

prescribed burn plan, the requirements of this act, and the rules and regulations

adopted pursuant thereto shall not be liable for any penalties for violations of the

“Air Pollution Control Act (1954),” P.L.1954, c. 212 ( C.26:2C-1 et seq. ). d. In a private civil action arising from the conducting of a prescribed burn and

any damages or injury caused by the fire or the resulting smoke or ash, proof of compliance

with the requirements and standards established pursuant to this act shall be admissible

evidence that the duty of care for conducting of a prescribed burn has been met. e. No provision of this act shall be construed to relieve a landowner or lessee of

the obligation to reimburse the department for the reasonable and normal costs associated

with a prescribed burn, regardless of whether fire escapes from the prescribed burn

conducted or authorized to be conducted by the landowner or lessee and the fire requires

intervention by the Forest Fire Service. If the fire escapes due to the negligence of the landowner or lessee, the landowner

or lessee shall also be subject to penalties established by the department by rule

or regulation for such negligence. Any reimbursement of costs paid pursuant to this subsection shall be credited to

a special dedicated account in the General Fund and appropriated to the Forest Fire

Service to pay for the administration and operation of its forest fire programs. f. Without affecting any other limitations on liability that may be applicable, and

notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, the department and any designee,

agent, or employee thereof shall be immune from liability for any damages or injury

arising from or related to any act or omission taken in the good faith performance

of the department and any designee, agent, or employee thereof in carrying out the

provisions of this act.