In all criminal and civil actions for any injury occasioned by fire communicated by burning or clearing land, the fact that such fire was so communicated shall be prima facie evidence of negligence on the part of the person or agent or employee or any other person who shall at the time of such injury by fire be in the use and occupation of the land on which the burning was done and of those who shall at such time have care and management of such burning.
Structure West Virginia Code
Article 3. Forests and Wildlife Areas
§20-3-3. Establishment of Wildlife Areas; Leasing Lands Therefor
§20-3-3a. Cabwaylingo Pilot Project
§20-3-5a. Prescribed Fire Program
§20-3-7. Starting Fire on Lands of Another; Penalties
§20-3-8. Duty of Railroad Company to Protect Against Fires
§20-3-9. Right of Railroad Company to Clear Land Adjacent to Right-of-Way
§20-3-12. Timberland and Forest Land Defined
§20-3-13. Director Authorized to Secure Federal Cooperation; Annual Appropriation
§20-3-14. Financial Assistance From Owners of Forest Lands; Expenditures by Director
§20-3-15. Owner Not Relieved From Civil Liability for Damage From Fire
§20-3-16. Prima Facie Evidence of Negligence in Certain Actions for Injury Due to Fires
§20-3-17. Disposition of Proceeds of National Forests
§20-3-17a. Same -- Counties Embracing Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area
§20-3-18. Disposition of Flood Control, Navigation and Allied Funds From the Federal Government
§20-3-20. Governor's Authority to Execute
§20-3-21. When and How Compact Becomes Operative
§20-3-22. Compact Administration; Advisory Committee
§20-3-23. Compact Committee Powers and Duties; Cooperation Therewith
§20-3-24. Other Powers of State Forester Supplementary
§20-3-25. Governor's Authority to Execute
§20-3-26. When and How Compact Becomes Operative
§20-3-27. Compact Administration
§20-3-28. Compact Committee Powers and Duties; Cooperation Therewith