Section 12-6-17. Director -- Regulation of controlled burning where drought or other conditions exist

   (a) Whenever in the judgment of the director, because of drought or other conditions, controlled burning of woods, lands, marshes, refuse, or other combustible materials in any county or counties or in any area within a county constitutes an unusual hazard to property, the director may by order, rule, or regulation prohibit the setting on fire of any woods, lands, marshes, refuse, or other combustible materials within any county or counties or within any area within a county, or may permit such burning only upon such conditions and under such regulations as in his judgment are necessary and proper to prevent the destruction of property. Where by rule or regulation the setting on fire of any woods, lands, marshes, refuse, or other combustible material has been prohibited, no person shall set or cause to be set any backfire, except under the direct supervision or permission of a state or federal forest officer, unless it can be established that the setting of such backfire was necessary for the purpose of saving life or valuable property, the burden of proving which shall rest on such person claiming same as a defense. Any order, rule, or regulation promulgated by the director under the authority of this Code section shall have the force and effect of law.

(b) Any person violating a lawful order or regulation promulgated under the authority of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Ga. L. 1955, p. 309, § 26.