Section 453 Of Chapter 1. Arson From California Penal Code >> Title 13. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 1.
453
. (a) Every person who possesses, manufactures, or disposes of
any flammable, or combustible material or substance, or any
incendiary device in an arrangement or preparation, with intent to
willfully and maliciously use this material, substance, or device to
set fire to or burn any structure, forest land, or property, shall be
punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section
1170, or in a county jail, not exceeding one year.
(b) For the purposes of this section:
(1) "Disposes of" means to give, give away, loan, offer, offer for
sale, sell, or transfer.
(2) "Incendiary device" means a device that is constructed or
designed to start an incendiary fire by remote, delayed, or instant
means, but no device commercially manufactured primarily for the
purpose of illumination shall be deemed to be an incendiary device
for the purposes of this section.
(3) "Incendiary fire" means a fire that is deliberately ignited
under circumstances in which a person knows that the fire should not
be ignited.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not prohibit the authorized use or
possession of any material, substance or device described therein by
a member of the armed forces of the United States or by firemen,
police officers, peace officers, or law enforcement officers
authorized by the properly constituted authorities; nor does that
subdivision prohibit the use or possession of any material, substance
or device described therein when used solely for scientific research
or educational purposes, or for disposal of brush under permit as
provided for in Section 4494 of the Public Resources Code, or for any
other lawful burning. Subdivision (a) does not prohibit the
manufacture or disposal of an incendiary device for the parties or
purposes described in this subdivision.