Rhode Island § 2-12-9 - Forest Fires and Prevention

§ 2-12-9. Causing of fires.

(a) A person shall not:

(1) Dispose of a lighted match, cigarette, cigar, ashes or other flaming or glowing substance or any other substance or thing that is likely to ignite a forest, brush, grass or woods fire, or throw or drop from a moving vehicle any of those objects or substances;

(2) Set a backfire or cause a backfire to be set, except under the direct supervision of an established fire control agency or unless it can be established that the setting of the backfire is necessary for the purpose of saving life or valuable property;

(3) Destroy, break down, mutilate or remove any fire control sign or poster erected by an established fire control agency in the administration of its lawful duties and authorities;

(4) Use or operate on or adjacent to forest land, a welding torch, tar pot, or other device which may cause a fire, without clearing flammable material surrounding the operation or without taking other precautions prescribed by the director to insure against the starting and spreading of fire;

(5) Operate or cause to be operated any engine, other machinery or powered vehicle not equipped with spark arresters, or other suitable devices to prevent the escape of fire or sparks; or

(6) Discharge or cause to be discharged a gun firing incendiary or tracer bullets or tracer charge on to or across any forest land.

(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) nor less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each offense.