In NJ, there is a provision in the Criminal Mishchief statute (NJS 2C:17-3) that states that it is a crime to damage tangible property of another through the reckless or negligent use of fire or explosives. Grading is based on dollar value of the loss.

I have used it at least twice. In one scenario, a group of workers left a "burn barrel" alight when they left the job site for lunch. It was a very windy early spring day. Embers from the barrel caused the vegetation around the house to ignite, ultimately causing a significant fire in the house under construction.

I also used it when a blaster did not properly drill holes for the explosives in a blasting project. Instead of being covered by 4 feet of rock. the charges were covered by less than 6 inches of rock. The resulting explosion caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to construction equipment and homes up to 1/4 mile away.

Guilty pleas in both cases. No jail time in either case.