Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 477.740 (2026)

Unlawful use of fire

✓ current as of May 2026
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      477.740 Unlawful use of fire. A person commits the offense of unlawful use of fire if the person:

      (1) In the ignition of a fire:

      (a) Unlawfully sets on fire, or causes to be set on fire, any grass, grain, stubble or other material being or growing on any lands within the state;

      (b) Intentionally or negligently allows fire to escape from the person’s own land, or land of which the person is in possession or control; or

      (c) Accidentally sets any fire on the person’s own land or the land of another and allows it to escape from control without extinguishing it, or making a bona fide effort to do so.

      (2) Having knowledge of a fire burning on the person’s own land, or land of which the person is in possession or control, fails or neglects to make a bona fide effort to extinguish the same, regardless of whether or not the person is responsible for the starting or existence thereof. [1971 c.743 §307; 1993 c.697 §7; 1997 c.274 §33]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1982–1990 · leading case: Defrees v. US, Through US Forest Serv., 738 F. Supp. 380 (D. Or. 1990).
Defrees v. US, Through US Forest Serv., 738 F. Supp. 380 (D. Or. 1990). · cites it 2× “066(1) and ORS 477.740(l)(d). Under ORS 477.066(1) each owner and operator of forest land on which a fire exists or form which it may have spread, notwithstanding the origin or subsequent spread thereof, shall immediately proceed to control and extinguish such fire when its…”
Koos v. Roth, 652 P.2d 1255 (Or. 1982). “Plaintiff cites ORS 477.740, which imposes criminal liability for unlawfully setting on fire “any grass, grain, stubble or other material being grown on any lands within the state” or failing to control the spread of fire from one’s own land.”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 477.740(l)(d) — 1 case
Defrees v. US, Through US Forest Serv., 738 F. Supp. 380 (D. Or. 1990). “066(1) and ORS 477.740(l)(d). Under ORS 477.066(1) each owner and operator of forest land on which a fire exists or form which it may have spread, notwithstanding the origin or subsequent spread thereof, shall immediately proceed to control and extinguish such fire when its…”
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