All peace officers of the state, including department of game and fish conservation officers, have the power to make arrests on warrant issued by any magistrate of the state for violation of any of the state forest fire laws, including Chapter 68, Article 2 NMSA 1978, rules implementing Chapter 68, Article 2 NMSA 1978 or fire restrictions issued pursuant to such rules, or without warrant for violations of those laws committed in their presence, and shall not be liable to civil action for trespass for acts done in the discharge of their duties.
History: Laws 1921, ch. 33, § 6; C.S. 1929, § 35-1411; 1941 Comp., § 41-1806; 1953 Comp., § 40-18-6; 2007, ch. 332, § 2.
ANNOTATIONSCross references. — For issuance of arrest warrants by the magistrate court, see Rules 6-204 and 6-206 NMRA.
The 2007 amendment, effective June 15, 2007, eliminated voluntary forest fire wardens; changed "deputy game and fish wardens" to "department of game and fish conservation officers"; and provided that officers have the power to arrest for violation of Chapter 68, Article 2 NMSA 1978, rules implementing Chapter 68, Article 2 NMSA 1978 or fire restrictions issued pursuant to such rules.