Maliciously setting fire to wood, fence, grass, straw, or other combustible on land is classified as which felony?

Maliciously setting fire to wood, fence, grass, straw, or other combustible on land is classified as which felony?

• A. Class 6 felony
• B. Class 4 felony
• C. Class 3 felony
• D. Class 2 felony

Answer: (A)

Maliciously burning property is arson, and Virginia assigns arson offenses by what is burned. When someone sets fire to wood, a fence, grass, straw, or other combustible on land, it is still arson, but it falls into the lowest felony tier for arson—Class 6. This reflects the fact that the damage is to non-structural property and doesn't involve burning a dwelling or occupied building, which would carry a higher class and harsher penalties. So the scenario fits a Class 6 felony because it targets land-based, non-structural material rather than a dwelling or structure.

Maliciously burning property is arson, and Virginia assigns arson offenses by what is burned. When someone sets fire to wood, a fence, grass, straw, or other combustible on land, it is still arson, but it falls into the lowest felony tier for arson—Class 6. This reflects the fact that the damage is to non-structural property and doesn't involve burning a dwelling or occupied building, which would carry a higher class and harsher penalties. So the scenario fits a Class 6 felony because it targets land-based, non-structural material rather than a dwelling or structure.