Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104 — Reckless burning.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 1: Property Destruction, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Reckless burning

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-6-101 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits reckless burning if the actor: (2)(a) recklessly starts a fire or causes an explosion which endangers human life; (2)(b) having started a fire, whether recklessly or not, and knowing that it is spreading and will endanger the life or property of another, either fails to take reasonable measures to put out or control the fire or fails to give a prompt fire alarm; (2)(c) builds or maintains a fire without taking reasonable steps to remove all flammable materials surrounding the site of the fire as necessary to prevent the fire's spread or escape; or (2)(d) damages the property of another by reckless use of fire or causing an explosion. (3)(a) A violation of Subsection (2)(a) or (b) is a class A misdemeanor. (3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2)(c) is a class B misdemeanor. (3)(c) A violation of Subsection (2)(d) is: (3)(c)(i) a class A misdemeanor if damage to property is or exceeds $1,500 in value; (3)(c)(ii) a class B misdemeanor if the damage to property is or exceeds $500 but is less than $1,500 in value; and (3)(c)(iii) a class C misdemeanor if the damage to property is or exceeds $150 but is less than $500 in value. (3)(d) Any other violation under Subsection (2)(d) is an infraction.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is reckless burning a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: reckless burning ranges from a Infraction to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104.

Reckless starting of fire or explosion endangering human life: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104(3)(a)) · Failure to control spreading fire or give alarm: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104(3)(a)) · Failure to remove flammable materials around fire: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104(3)(b)) · Property damage by reckless fire/explosion ($1,500 or more): Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104(3)(c)(i)) · Property damage by reckless fire/explosion ($500 to under $1,500): Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104(3)(c)(ii)) · Property damage by reckless fire/explosion ($150 to under $500): Class C Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104(3)(c)(iii)) · Property damage by reckless fire/explosion (under $150): Infraction (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104(3)(d))

Which Utah statute covers reckless burning?

Reckless burning is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-104 (Reckless burning).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.