TO REPORT ARSON: Contact Local Division of Forestry Field Office: 1-800-342-5869
Forestry Arson Alert Association Who Loses When Woods Arson Occurs?
Everybody loses when wood arsonists strike. Consumers pay more for the
thousands of products made from forest materials; taxpayers foot the
bill for suppressing the fires; jobs are often eliminated when the
resource is reduced, and families living in wooded areas often lose
their homes and possessions. In 1985, 200 homes were destroyed or
damaged by wildfires, many of these fires were due to the work of
arsonists. More than half a million acres were burned, and 330 homes
were destroyed or damaged, in 1998 alone. One in five of these fires
was attributed to arson.
What is the Forestry Arson Alert Association?
The
Florida Forestry Arson Alert Association is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3
organization created by the Florida Legislature in 1986 to provide
information to the public about woods arson and monetary rewards for
information leading to the apprehension of an arsonist.
How Can I Join the Arson Alert Association?
Your
company or you individually are eligible for membership. Contributions
are tax deductible as allowed under law. Your contribution not only
helps make it possible to provide monetary rewards to citizens who
provide information about arson, but also is a means for expressing
your concern about this crime to local and state law enforcement
agencies, the judiciary and lawmakers. Most importantly, you will send
a direct message to every woods-burning arsonist.
Upon receiving payment, the Arson Alert Association will forward your membership card and receipt of payment.
Companies or individuals contributing $25.00 or more will also receive a member decal, while those giving $100.00 or more will be receive a member decal and a framed certificate and contributions of $500.00 or more will receive a member decal and a engraved plaque.
How Can I Receive a Reward?
Anyone with information about a fire believed set by an arsonist should contact a Division of Forestry field office or call 1/800-342-5869. Ask to speak to the District Manager or Fire Investigator responsible for the area involved.
If the caller's information leads to the apprehension of an arsonist, the District Manager will recommend to the Arson Alert Association that a reward be paid. If the reward is approved by the Arson Alert Association Board of Directors, the funds will be forwarded to the District Manager for payment.
The minimum reward is $100.00 and the maximum reward is $5,000.00. If requested, the identity of the caller will be kept confidential. What Will Happen to the Arsonist?
The willful, malicious or intentional burning of forest, grass or woodlands not owned by or in the lawful possession of the person doing the burning is a felony crime, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000.00, five years in prison, or both.
