Chap. 350.—An ACT to amend the Code of Virginia by adding thereto a new
section, numbered 542-a, relating to recovery of expenses incurred by the State
and counties in fighting forest, brush-land and waste-land fires. [H B. 198}

Approved March 26, 1932

_ I. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the
Code of Virginia be amended by adding thereto a new section, num-
bered five hundred and forty-two-a, to read as follows:

_.. Section 942-a. Any person who negligently, carelessly, or inten-
1932] ACTS OF ASSEMBLY 689

tionally without using reasonable care and precaution to prevent its
escape, starts a fire which burns on forest-land, brush-land or waste-
land, shall be liable to the Commonwealth and the county for the full
amount of all expenses incurred by the Commonwealth and by the
county for fighting or extinguishing such fire, recoverable by action
brought by the State forester in the name of the Commonwealth on be-
half of the Commonwealth and by the board of supervisors on behalf
of the county.

The provisions of this section shall cover every manner or way in
which forest-land or brush-land or waste-land fires may be started,
whether by direct act, or by an appliance or by indirection.

The term ‘“‘person” as used in this section shall include individuals.
associations, partnerships, joint stock companies and corporations, and
their officers, servants, agents and employees.