Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-86 (2026)

Setting fire to woods, fences, grass, etc

✓ current as of May 2026

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If any person maliciously set fire to any wood, fence, grass, straw or other thing capable of spreading fire on land, he shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.

Code 1950, § 18.1-82; 1960, c. 358; 1968, c. 362; 1975, cc. 14, 15.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1999–2024 · leading case: Schwartz v. Commonwealth, 581 S.E.2d 891 (Va. Ct. App. 2003).

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Schwartz v. Commonwealth, 581 S.E.2d 891 (Va. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 4× “2-85 (addressing the manufacture, use or possession of firebombs or explosive materials or devices); Code § 18.2-86 (addressing setting fire to wood, fences, grass, etc.”

Conrad v. Commonwealth, 521 S.E.2d 321 (Va. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “And I think from the evidence that, at that time, that he was operating that motor vehicle in a state that he knew very well or should have known very well that he may, in fact, fall asleep____ (Emphasis added). The trial court concluded that appellant’s conduct was “gross,…”

John Russell Bradbury v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “Arson of Land Appellant was convicted of violating Code § 18.2-86, which provides, “If any person maliciously set fire to any wood, fence, grass, straw or other thing capable of spreading fire on -6- land, he shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.”

James D. Shaw, a/k/a Roscoe James Shaw v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2024). “2-77), to setting fire to woods, fences, and grass (Code § 18.2-86), to maliciously activating fire alarms (Code § 18.”

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