Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-86 — Setting fire to woods, fences, grass, etc

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 1: Arson and Related Crimes, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Setting fire to woods, fences, grass, etc

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-86

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-86Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session

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.

Official sources

Official section text (law.lis.virginia.gov)

Questions this section answers

Is setting fire to woods, fences, grass, etc a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

Setting fire to woods, fences, grass, etc is a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-86.

Which Virginia statute covers setting fire to woods, fences, grass, etc?

Setting fire to woods, fences, grass, etc is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-86 (Setting fire to woods, fences, grass, etc).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.