The chief of the division of forestry may declare any property to be a public nuisance which by reason of its condition or operation is a special forest-fire hazard and as such endangers property. He shall notify the owner of the property or person responsible for the condition declared to be a public nuisance and shall advise him as to the abatement or removal of the nuisance. In the case of a railroad, the notice shall be served upon the superintendent of the division upon which the nuisance exists. If the owner of the property on which the nuisance exists, after thirty days’ notice, refuses or neglects to take action to abate or remove the nuisance, the chief shall cause it to be removed or abated. The costs of that action constitute a lien and are recoverable as a special tax assessed against the property. All money thus derived shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund. The chief shall collect and arrange information obtained concerning violation of laws relating to the protection of forests from fires and present that information to the director of natural resources, who shall file it with the attorney general for legal action.

The disbursements by the chief in carrying out the purposes of sections 1503.07 to 1503.27 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the state from the appropriation for the prevention and extinguishment of forest fires.