A person commits this crime if they carelessly start a fire or explosion that damages someone else's property or land — like fields, woods, or marshes. It is also this crime if a person lets a fire that is already burning on land they control spread onto someone else's property. This is a class C misdemeanor, which is a minor crime.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
569.065. burning or — . — 1. A person commits the of negligent burning or exploding if he or she with causes damage to property or to the woodlands, cropland, grassland, prairie, or marsh of another by:
(1) Starting a fire or causing an explosion; or
(2) Allowing a fire burning on lands in his or her or control onto the property of another.
2. The offense of negligent burning or exploding is a .
Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.
Source & history notes
(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Effective 1-01-17
Related Missouri laws
Reckless burning or exploding
RSMo 569.060
Possessing a tool to break into a vending machine
RSMo 569.075
Knowingly burning or exploding
RSMo 569.055
Arson in the third degree
RSMo 569.053
Tampering in the first degree
RSMo 569.080
Arson in the second degree
RSMo 569.050
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.