# N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-04: 12.1-21-04. Release of destructive forces

> North Dakota · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-04

## Section

- **Citation:** N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-04
- **Heading:** 12.1-21-04. Release of destructive forces
- **Jurisdiction:** North Dakota
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** ND Code / Title 12.1 / Chapter 12.1-21 / Section 12.1-21-04

## Text

12.1-21-04. Release of destructive forces

1. A person is guilty of a class B felony if he intentionally causes a catastrophe by any

means and is guilty of a class C felony if he does so willfully.

2. A person is guilty of a class C felony if he willfully creates a risk of catastrophe,

although no fire, explosion, or other destruction results.

3. A person who knowingly does an act which causes or which he knows is likely to

cause a catastrophe, or assents to the doing of such act, is guilty of a class C felony if

he willfully fails to take reasonable measures to prevent the catastrophe.

4. Catastrophe means serious bodily injury to ten or more people or substantial damage

to ten or more separate habitations or structures or property loss in excess of five

hundred thousand dollars.

## Nearby sections

- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-01 12.1-21-01. Arson](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-01.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-02 12.1-21-02. Endangering by fire or explosion](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-02.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-03 12.1-21-03. Failure to control or report a dangerous fire](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-03.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-03.1 12.1-21-03.1. Negligent act resulting in fire - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-03.1.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-04 12.1-21-04. Release of destructive forces](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-04.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-05 12.1-21-05. Criminal mischief](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-05.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-06 12.1-21-06. Tampering with or damaging a critical infrastructure facility or a public service - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-06.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-06.1 12.1-21-06.1. Interference with telephone during emergency call](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-06.1.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-07 12.1-21-07. Consent as a defense](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-07.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-08 12.1-21-08. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-08.md)
- [N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-21-09 12.1-21-09. Tampering with, disabling, or falsely sounding a fire alarm - Tampering with or disabling fire suppression equipment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-09.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ND_T12.1_C12.1-21_S12.1-21-04. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.