# W. Va. Code § 61-3-6: Willfully, unlawfully and maliciously setting fire on lands; penalty

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S6

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 61-3-6
- **Heading:** Willfully, unlawfully and maliciously setting fire on lands; penalty
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 61 / Article 3 / Section 6

## Text

If any person willfully, unlawfully and maliciously sets fire to any woods, fence, grass, straw or other thing capable of spreading fire on lands, he or she shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to the penitentiary for a definite term of imprisonment which is not less than one year nor more than five years or fined not to exceed $5,000, or both. He or she shall, moreover, be liable to any person injured thereby, or in consequence thereof, for double the amount of damages sustained by such person. A person imprisoned pursuant to this section is not eligible for parole prior to having served a minimum of one year of his or her sentence or the minimum period required by the provisions of section thirteen, article twelve, chapter sixty-two of this code, whichever is greater.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-1 §61-3-1. Burning, etc., of a dwelling or outbuilding; first degree arson; penalty; definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-2 §61-3-2. Burning, etc., of other buildings or structures; second degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-3 §61-3-3. Burning personal property of another of the value of five hundred dollars or more; third degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-4 §61-3-4. Attempt to commit arson; fourth degree arson; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-5 §61-3-5. Burning, or attempting to burn, insured property; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-6 §61-3-6. Willfully, unlawfully and maliciously setting fire on lands; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-7 §61-3-7. Causing injuries during an arson-related crime; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-8 §61-3-8. Recovery of costs incurred in fighting fires caused by arson.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-11 §61-3-11. Burglary; entry of dwelling or outhouse; criminal penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S11.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-12 §61-3-12. Entry of building other than dwelling; entry of railroad, traction or motorcar, steamboat, or other vessel; penalties; counts in indictment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S12.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-13 §61-3-13. Grand and petit larceny distinguished; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S13.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-14 §61-3-14. Larceny of bank notes, checks, writings of value and book accounts; penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S14.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-15 §61-3-15. How value of notes, book accounts and other writings determined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S15.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 61-3-16 §61-3-16. Larceny of things savoring of realty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S16.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C61_A3_S6. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.