Originally Posted by bigswede
The other thing is the lighting of fire to one's own land to create a barrier of burnt land to stop a wild fire, it can not be crime. Failing with that prospect is misfortunate, but shall it in all fairness be deemed a crime?
You got more bad info, bigswede... there are many layers of burning restrictions promulgated and enforced by municipal, county, state, and federal governments. And there is no exemption from liability for irresponsibly allowing a fire that you start on your own land that spreads to neighboring properties.

Where did you get the idea that the Hammonds were trying to create a barrier of burnt land, anyway? That sort of action is technical in nature and requires a good bit of manpower and equipment to safely manage - you don't just start throwing matches around. Your boys are clearly scoundrels, I don't see why you feel the need to defend them so.

You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete.
R. Buckminster Fuller