Forest Fire Laws of Virginia 



(1) PROTECTIVE SYSTEM. 



(This sub-division comprises the provisions of law, if any, defining 

 the personnel, and the executive and administrative powers and 

 duties, of the general State-wide organization charged with the pre- 

 vention, including provisions for slash disposal after lumbering, 

 detection, control and extinguishment of forest fires.) 



SECTION 18, CHAPTER 195, LAWS 1914. 



Forest wardens, appointment Compensation Powers of, for pro^ 

 tection of State forests, and fish and game. Whenever the State 

 geological commission considers it necessary, it may apply to the 

 governor to commission such persons as it may designate to act as 

 forest wardens of this State, to enforce the forest laws, and, under 

 the direction of the board, to aid in carrying out the purposes of 

 this act; but they shall be subject to removal at any time at the pleas- 

 ure of the State geological commission. Such wardens shall receive 

 such compensation from time to time as the State geological 

 commission may allow them for special services. Forest wardens 

 thus appointed shall, before entering upon the duties of their office, 

 take the proper official oath before the clerk of the court of the 

 county in which they reside, after which they shall, while holding 

 said office, possess and exercise all the authority and power held 

 and exercised by constables at common law and under the statutes 

 of this State, so far as arresting and prosecuting persons for viola- 

 tions of any of the laws or rules and regulations enacted or made, 

 or to be enacted or made, for the protection of the State forestry 

 reserves, or for the protection of the fish and game contained therein, 

 are concerned. 



SECTION 19. 



Duties of wardens Arrests Fires; assistance Expenses; report 



on. It shall be the duty of the forest wardens to enforce all forest 

 laws of this State; to protect the State forest reserves, and to see 

 that all rules, regulations and laws are enforced; to report viola- 

 tions of the law to the State forester; to assist in apprehending and 

 convicting offenders, and to make an annual report to him as to 

 forest conditions in their immediate neighborhood. When any for- 

 est warden shall see or have reported to him a forest fire, it shall 

 be his duty immediately to repair to the scene of the fire and employ 

 such persons and means as in his judgment seem expedient and 

 necessary to extinguish said fire. He shall keep an itemized account 



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