Prevention of Forest Fires

It is the duty of all sheriffs (and state highway patrol officers) to use all effective methods in their power to prevent the spread of forest fires. Whenever the sheriff becomes aware that there is a forest fire in the vicinity, it is the duty of the sheriff to summon a sufficient number of the male citizens of the county in which the fire is burning, who are between 18 and 30 years of age, to control the fire. The sheriff is to be in complete charge and direction of the efforts to restrain the fire until duly relieved by Division of Forestry personnel. T.C.A. § 68-102-145.